Auto wrecking enterprise has been going robust since 1955 | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

Christopher Dacanay
FAMILY BUSINESS — Members of the Cutri household gathered in entrance of the principle storage of Rocky’s Auto Wrecking, a family-owned auto half salvaging enterprise that has been working since 1955. From left are Joe Cutri, Frances Cutri, Rocky Cutri Jr. and Rocky Cutri Sr. They’re joined by their canine Dumpster, left, and Reese.

MINGO JUNCTION — Whereas taking a drive southbound alongside state Route 7 simply south of Mingo Junction, searching the window to the fitting will afford one a glimpse of Rocky’s Auto Wrecking.

Positioned at 612 county Street 74, Rocky’s is a household owned auto components salvaging enterprise that has been round since 1955. Along with providing towing companies, Rocky’s purchases junk or wrecked vehicles, promoting the usable components and recycling what’s left.

With practically 70 years in enterprise, Rocky’s has amassed fairly a number of vehicles on its roughly 60 acres of property that lie between county Street 74 and Cross Creek. The whole is definitely greater than staff mentioned they will rely, though adjustments within the panorama and automotive rely may be tracked by aerial pictures of the junkyard that dangle within the enterprise’ workplace.

Inside that workplace may be discovered Rocky Cutri Jr. and his son, Joe Cutri, who collectively symbolize two of the three generations working there. Operating the present are Rocky Cutri Sr. and his spouse, Frances Cutri.

Rocky Cutri Sr. based the enterprise solely a bit down the street from the place he grew up, Rocky Cutri Jr. mentioned. Mechanically inclined from a younger age, Rocky Cutri Sr. was all the time one to “discover worth in used components.”

“We’re true believers in repurposing issues (at Rocky’s),” Rocky Cutri Jr. mentioned, later including, “My dad noticed worth in every little thing. That’s why he wouldn’t eliminate stuff.”

Rocky Cutri Sr., now 92 years outdated, agreed with that sentiment, remarking, “I used to be all the time a saver. I by no means junked nothing.”

He was considered one of 9 kids to Joseph Cutri, an Italian immigrant. The latter labored on the railroad and ultimately obtained his son a job switching tracks when he was 15. It was hazardous work, Rocky Cutri Sr. recalled, noting how he was as soon as forgotten in a trackside shack for 5 days with nothing however snow round.

Rocky Cutri Sr. had a ardour for mechanics and liked determining how issues work, gaining consideration on the town because the go-to for mechanical help. At 8, he had sufficient know-how to construct his personal go-kart, attaching a gasoline motor to his mom’s washer.

“I simply fell in love with (vehicles),” Rocky Cutri Sr. mentioned, including that his father was fairly the other, refusing to even journey in a automotive.

Rocky Cutri Jr. mentioned, “Right here’s my grandfather — no vehicles. And right here’s my dad — 1000’s of vehicles.”

Within the early Fifties, Rocky Cutri Sr. started doing enterprise in mechanics, ultimately entering into wrecking by others donating their junk vehicles to him. He bought property from his brother-in-law throughout the street from his home and meant to show it right into a storage.

At his father’s recommendation, Rocky Cutri Sr. constructed a home first, aided by his brother Dominic Cutri, earlier than engaged on the yard’s present buildings. That authentic home is the place Rocky Cutri Jr. grew up, proper subsequent to the enterprise — a spot of enjoyable and reminiscences.

“This place was like our playground. That is the place I realized to drive,” Rocky Cutri Jr. mentioned, noting how all of his personal youngsters and the neighbors would use the junkyard for apply.

Instrumental within the enterprise’ development was the help of Frances Cutri, a former EMT for the Mingo Junction Hearth/EMS Division who has labored ceaselessly with the American Purple Cross.

Rocky Cutri Jr. inherited the automotive fervor from his father, selecting up abilities from the enterprise that he jumped into early on. The identical goes for Joe Cutri, who went to varsity for enterprise however finally stepped in with the household enterprise. Presently, Rocky Cutri Jr. and Joe Cutri have 55 years and 25 years respectively with Rocky’s.

The 2 share a detailed relationship and a shared love of tinkering. They’re each completely aware of vehicles’ anatomy, however they acknowledge that not many individuals these days know a lot about vehicles. To have the ability to assist these folks cheaply get hold of an auto half that lasts them a very long time is all the time an excellent feeling, Rocky Cutri Jr. mentioned.

A whole lot of vehicles have come out and in of Rocky’s — the oldest automotive with components nonetheless within the yard is a 1926 Ford Mannequin T. Maybe the yard’s most notable automotive was a one-of-a-kind Plymouth Roadrunner, which was owned by an area who “T-boned a bridge,” Rocky Cutri Jr. mentioned. Fortunately, Rocky’s obtained the wrecked automotive and held onto it lengthy sufficient for different people to purchase and restore it.

Joe Cutri mentioned the enterprise is “quite a lot of work, but it surely’s actually rewarding. I can’t think about doing anything. … If it wasn’t for us, these vehicles would simply be laying round in every single place. Are you able to think about what that’d be like? It’d be an epidemic.”

Rocky Cutri Jr. added that having a small enterprise means “you’re married to it.” Regardless of challenges, the household retains the temper gentle with their signature humorousness.

“That’s the way you get alongside is with the ability to inform jokes and snicker,” Frances Cutri mentioned. “When issues are critical, we received’t make them critical.”

There are many jokes to be made and foolish tales to recount, particularly relating to the earlier characters Rocky’s has had as crew members — considered one of whom was recalled to have obliviously emptied a automotive’s gasoline tank into a hearth extinguisher.

Having been in Mingo Junction for therefore lengthy, the Cutris attempt to keep concerned in the neighborhood by supporting native causes and donating vehicles to the hearth division for apply or for the village’s parades. A fan of Mustangs, Rocky Cutri Sr. himself nonetheless likes to take part in automotive exhibits.

So long as folks drive vehicles, there shall be a necessity for auto components, and so long as there’s a necessity, the Cutris at Rocky’s shall be there to serve.