Last fall, our industry lost another pioneer – Joe Bommarito, founder of Saginaw, MI-based UV-tanning booth manufacturing company, HEX Tanning. Few could argue the significance of his contribution to the industry with his creation of the first vertical tanning system in 1979.
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According to the Saginaw News obituary, Joe (Bommer) Bommarito of Saginaw and Walloon Lake, MI died on October 7, 2018 at the age of 82. He claimed to have met “the most beautiful girl in the world” while attending Central Michigan University – his future wife, Jane. The couple celebrated 60 years of marriage last May. Some of his last words were, “I had a lot of fun and I am the luckiest person alive.” He is survived by Jane, their five children, 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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I have great memories of Joe B., selling him lamps to outfit his HEX systems during my tenure as VP of Sales at both Wolff System Technology Corp. and later, at Light Sources. Joe was one of the most enthusiastic people I ever met. He had a hearty laugh and a strong love for his family and the sport of golf, which were really the only things that may have equaled his drive to build HEX units – what he would fondly describe to me as “like a piece of fine furniture.” He will certainly be missed by many, including these members of the tanning industry who shared thoughts and memories of Bommarito at his passing.
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“I considered Joe a very close friend, though we had only spoken a handful of times over the last few years. During my first 20 years as a salon owner, we spoke almost monthly and I took the short drive from Flint to Joe’s office in Saginaw at least twice a year. I purchased my first HEX stand-up unit in 1981 – I think the serial number was 0000003 – not sure about the exact number of zeros before the ‘3’, but I’m sure that sale was one of his earliest. Over the years, I purchased nearly 60 units from Joe. He was a tough negotiator and good businessman, which showed in the tenure of his staff. Joe B. will be missed.”
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Vince Lorraine, Publisher
IST Magazine
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“We lost a great pioneer in our industry in October. I first met Joe in the summer of 1985, when the company I worked for (Tan Systems) started selling HEX booths. I went to Saginaw to the factory to see how they were built and I still remember I could smell the pickles being made nearby at Hausbeck Pickles & Peppers. Joe took me to his country club for dinner that night and I have fond memories of that visit. RIP, Joe. You will be missed by our industry.”
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Jeff Valaska, General Manager
Heartland Tanning
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“My memories of Joe go back a long time. I believe he built the first upright tanning device in the USA and his company continues to sell tanning booth products today with his daughter, Linda, following in his footsteps. I guess I felt like part of the family when I talked to Joe. Anyone close to him knew that he was a very emotional and warm-hearted person. Over the years, he cussed me out a lot when things weren’t always running perfect, but every phone call ended with many words of ‘thank you, thank you, thank you’ and great appreciation for the close support between our companies. He was a loyal Light Sources customer since I can recall. I was very close to Joe – he was always a generous host, always a gentleman, and it still chokes me up to think we have lost him from our industry and as a friend.”
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Gene Czako, Director of Engineering
Light Sources
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