In Memoriam: Henry Coletti

Henry Coletti, a long-serving and much honored veteran of the foodservice equipment and supplies industry, died June 13 in Sandwich, Mass.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; two sons and a daughter; and five grandchildren.

FEDA Past President Rick Ellingson of Bargreen Ellingson complimented Coletti’s dedication. “He was a strong advocate for distribution and spoke fondly of the industry to the end.”

Coletti was vice president of marketing for Market Forge Co. before joining Vulcan-Hart Corp. in 1984 as a regional sales manager. He rose to vice president of sales before being named president of Vulcan in 1992. Beginning in 1996, he also had charge of Vulcan’s Wolf Range Co. division, when he was named president of ITW FEG-North America’s cooking division. He retired in 2000, and remained active in an advisory capacity to ITW-FEG throughout 2001. That year, Coletti was the first recipient of the FEDA President’s Dealer-Based Distribution Award. Other honors include awards from MAFSI and an honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales University.

Many in the E&S industry respected Coletti as a mentor. Mark Suchecki, Coletti’s friend and partner in Entree LLC, commented that “Henry made Vulcan who they are today; he was one of the great manufacturing icons of our industry.”

Services will be private. Details will be announced on a future memorial service.