A Tribute to a Legacy

The Hancock legacy began with John Hancock Sr. who in 1939 started Crescent Tool and Die and has been with MTMIC for 40 years. That decision 4 decades ago was made by John Hancock Sr. who joined a group of bold shop owners to start and support their own insurance company. Their goal was to improve loss control efforts for their shops and hence the long term availability and pricing. Saving money for members was the focus of the group.

Crescent supplied, repaired, and built tooling and custom machinery for the big three.

Crescent formed a new manufacturing Company in 1963 and thus Hancock Enterprises was born and moved into a larger facility. Crescent Tool and Die was closed in 1984 and Hancock Enterprises took over as the mother company.

John “Corky” Hancock was the second generation owner and CEO of Hancock Enterprises and working with his father until he passed away in 1996 oversaw all operations during his long and successful career. The shop manufacturers and sells metal gutter fittings for the rain carrying industry and sells nationally and internationally.

Hancock has over 50 employees.

Being introduced to his shop, I found that many have been with Corky for over 20 years. His business savvy, hard work and dedication to his employees made all this possible.

Corky was an avid golfer and his office is filled with historical golf treasures – pictures, trophies, letters. Every wall is covered with a picture that draws you close to see who signed it. Mixed in with the golf pictures I learned that Corky also had a political side. Pictures with Presidents, Senators, and Governors – interestingly in my conversation with Corky he not once mentioned these fascinating encounters.

The sad news is that Corky passed away last month after a long battle with cancer. We will miss this kind and effective man. Over the last few years he transferred much of the day-to-day operations to his cousin, Bob Joly. Bob has been at Hancock Enterprises for 35 plus years, so he is well tuned to all the business issues. The company is now in the good hands of Bob and Cindy Joly and Corky’s wife, Catherine Teifer. I expect they will continue the legacy of John “Corky” Hancock.