Industry loses writer and educator Silvie Licitra

NEWSBITS

Salvatore "Silvie" Licitra devoted 70 of his 83 years to working, writing and teaching in the collision repair industry. The highly regarded author of more than a dozen books passed away on Feb. 4. His debut in the industry began in his early teens, as he began working at Truck Body Works. He later opened his own shop in 1938, which he named Silvie's Collision Works.

When war beckoned, Licitra enlisted in the Army in 1940. He served for more than two years in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

When the war ended, he returned home and reopened Silvie's Collision Works under the name Silvie's Autobody Rebuild.

In 1949, he enrolled in the State University of New York (SUNY) with the intent of earning a degree in vocational education. As a student, he produced an analysis of the collision repair and paint industries. Based upon this work, Licitra developed two courses for the New York City Board of Education on body shop management and automotive claims adjustment. He easily made the transition from shop owner to educator as he began teaching adjusters and other shop owners at the Brooklyn High School of Automotive Trades. At the same time, he made his foray into journalism by publishing a newsletter to communicate with those in the industry.

He worked with the Auto Body Repair Association, and his newsletter evolved into a magazine, titled, The Herald. In 1962, Licitra's magazine merged with Auto Body News & Good Car Care, which was owned by Stanley Publishing in Chicago. He became vice president and editorial director for the newly formed publication. This magazine was re-titled Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN). ABRN celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2002.

Licitra's work in the collision repair, education and publishing fields earned him international recognition as an industry leader, and he was the recipient of many awards. He is a member of the collision repair industry's Hall of Eagles.

He also worked as administrator for the Truck & Axle Repair Association (TARA). After retiring as administrator, he continued to contribute to the association in a public relations role. He also continued writing for ABRN through the 1990s.