Cancer Takes Armand J. Mancini, Founder of Recon Automotive Remanufacturers

Armand J. Mancini, founder and chairman of Recon Automotive Remanufacturers, Inc. died of cancer yesterday at age 62.
Mancini leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Carole, and three sons and a daughter — Armand, Vincent, Daniel, and Carrie Mancini Young. He is also survived by three brothers and a sister, and six grandchildren.
Mancini was an icon of the automotive remanufacturing industry, having founded Recon in 1973 and building it into one of the largest production engine remanufacturing operations in the country.
Mancini rose from humble beginnings to live the American Dream. An Italian immigrant, Mancini began his career by selling rebuildable starter and alternator “cores” out of the back of his pickup truck. In 1973 he founded Recon Automotive Remanufacturers, Inc. as a remanufacturer of starters and alternators. In 1980 he began the remanufacture of crankshafts and cylinder heads, and subsequently expanded his operation to include complete engine assemblies. In 1997 Mancini received the highest award in his industry, being named “PER of the Year” by the Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA).
A true “man of the people,” Mancini was most comfortable among the employees in his plant, typically riding his “Zamboni-like” floor scrubber throughout the facility, talking with his people, always asking, “Are you OK? Do you need anything?” His colorful personality made him memorable and endeared him to all who met him. Not a man of pretense, Mancini always spoke his mind. Yet many afternoons would find him singing songs of the ’40’s on the P.A. system throughout his plant.
A dedicated and committed family man, Mancini reveled most in the joy of being surrounded by family members, and assured that management of his companies was in the hands of immediate family. Son Vincent is CEO of Recon, and the existing Recon management team will remain in place and continue to operate the business as before.