LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (BRAIN) — Another of our industry’s elder statesmen has left us. Harry Manko died at 94 on April 13.
Manko was a leader in the industry for much of the second half of the 20th century and remained active in the industry and a mentor to many even in retirement.
He was the CEO and president of Service Cycle-Cycle Products, once one of the largest distributors in the industry. Service Cycle became the owner and distributor of Mongoose bikes and Giro helmets under Manko's leadership.
Manko also was generous with his time away from his day job. He served as president of the Bicycle Wholesale Distributors Association (which later became the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association and is now part of PeopleForBikes). He also was president of the Bicycle Institute of America and was active in promoting bicycle-related legislation and safety standards. In 2014 the BPSA awarded him a lifetime achievement award at the Bicycle Leadership Conference in Monterey.
In later years, Manko lived in an assisted living home on Long Island. His neighbor was fellow industry veteran Alfred Todrys, who passed away in January this year. Services are planned for mid-May.
