Former Wrightbus Sales Director Jack Kernohan MBE has passed away, the company has confirmed.
A much-liked and respected figure both in industry and community, Jack died peacefully on Sunday morning after a period of illness.
His career with Wrightbus spanned over 40 years. Jack, who wrote and published ‘The Wright Way’ to mark the 60th Anniversary of the company in 2010, rose through the ranks from Workshop Foreman through to Production Manager until switching to the sales side of the business in 1970 when he was appointed Sales Manager. He became Sales Director in 1988, a position he held until his retirement in 2005 at the age of 68.
He became a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Bus Industry in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June this year.
Speaking about his great friend and colleague, Dr William Wright CBE said: “We are all deeply saddened at the loss of Jack. He was a great character, with a mischievous spirit, well liked and respected by everyone who knew him. With over forty years of service to the company, he was a key figure in the growth and development of the business during that period. Even after he retired, he maintained a keen interest and strong links with the company and his many friends in the industry. Everyone in the company would wish to extend their deepest condolences to Jack’s family.”