Obituary
John Contney, former head of TRSA
John Contney, former head of TRSA
John J. Contney, former executive director
of the Textile Rental Services Association of America, passed
away at his home in Key Largo, FL, on March 3. He was 70.
He first joined TRSA in 1965 (then known
as Linen Supply Association of America) and served eight years
as the manager of marketing. In 1973, he was named as the
association’s general manager.
One year later, he became the assistant
executive director, and, in 1975, he moved up to the position
of executive director. He maintained that post for 23 years.
Contney helped guide TRSA through numerous
legislative and regulatory challenges, including efforts to
oppose the imposition of unfair wastewater rules and unfair
competition from non-profit hospital cooperative laundries. He
was also instrumental in the association’s image makeover
and name change in the late 1970s.
Former TRSA President Richard Senior
voiced his thoughts on Contney in a 1998 edition of Textile
Rental: “He wants to do what’s right. I think our
shining moment came when we put together the statement of what
TRSA stands for. John took a leadership role in working with
the executive committee to boil down our ideas to what the
association should be and do and what it should not be and not
do.”
On the educational front, Contney held
several degrees, including a B.A. and M.B.A. from Marquette
University in Milwaukee, WI. He also earned an M.S. in
education from Barry University in Miami Shores, FL.
During the Korean war, he served as a U.S.
Army sergeant.
Throughout his life, Contney received many
honorable distinctions and awards. In 1976, he was awarded
Certified Association Executive status by the American Society
of Association Executives.
In 1982, he was named “Executive of
the Year” by the Florida Society of Association
Executives.
He was chairman of the Clean Show
’83 and the Clean Show ’93 Education Committee that
sponsored the World Textile Rental Congress for Laundering and
Dry Cleaning.
He served on the Clean ’97 Executive
Committee, as well, and managed the 1998 World Textile Rental
Congress in San Francisco.
Contney is survived by his sister, Colette
Kenney, and his sons Wade and Ross. Contney’s wife, Dawn,
passed away in 1996.
Donations in Mr. Contney’s honor may
be sent to Barry University, Institutional Advancement, 11300
N.E. 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161.
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