 IN DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF
Rick Cianek
Family and friends mourned the passing of
Richard J "Rick" Cianek on April 6, 2009, Michigan sales representative for Fraco Products. He leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Denise, and three children, Andrew, Claire and Franklin, and countless friends and colleagues who miss him.
Cianek, 54, grew up on a farm in the Bay City area, first delivering produce for his dad, then CMU for 4D. His career took off when he went into sales,for 4D, Superior Materials, Schuster Construction Services and most recently , Fraco Products. Fraco President Armand Rainville said when he decided to grow Fraco in Michigan, Cianek said, "I can do that. And he did. He built it from scratch."
Cianek cultivated more than sales. He grew business relationships, which bloomed into professional and personal friendships and successes. Denise shared his sales philosophy: "Sales is all about the relationship. Rick always took the long view."
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Rick Cianek's product expertise and reputation for customer service go wthout saying.
Rick's service to our industry is a model by which we all aspire to attain. "No" wasn't in his vocabulary. He went above and beyond serving well at the committee and board levels for the Masonry Institute of Michigan, Michigan Masonry Contractors Association and Construction Association of Michigan. He tirelessly helped organize and participated in nearly every educational and social event that our industry offered for the last three decades. Simply put, Rick was the quintessential masonry salesman. A man of grace, dignity and goodness. he gave far more than he could have possibly received. A road warrior who measured success by friendships. Difficult to measure because he would have needed a calculator to count them.
In the days following Rick's passing, I have received countless calls from mason contractors around the Midwest asking if I had heard the news. How in the world did this guy find time to establish so many relationships? These weren't just news flashes but voices of genuine sadness. Not only had Rick reached out to hundreds of customers, he had attained a level in their relationship whereby he was considered a genuine friend. I'm convinced Rick cloned himself. How else could he have been everywhere all the time?
I don't think there were any conditions or requirements for being Rick's friend.
This guy knew the secret to the universe!
In awe,
Jeff Snyder, Masonrpro Inc.
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More evidence of his dedicated character came after a serious accident a few years ago. The doctor said he would never walk again, but Cianek learned to walk again, as well as bowl, golf and dance!
Cianek served on The Story Pole Editorial Advisory Committee for seven years, scanning Michigan's construction activity for projects to feature. He contributed expertise for articles on scaffold engineering, configurations, safety, solutions and increasing productivity, including one which arrived the day before he died. "Increasing Productivity with Efficient Equipmen" will publish in the May / June Story Pole.
Larry Durkin, president of Durkin & Company Contractors, said "Rick knew his products, and did his job as well as anybody could do it. He was the one you wanted when you were looking to buy. Rick's service was unparalleled. He would go through all the steps needed to get the order to the client."
Brian O'Toole, Cianek's former employer at Schuster, said "Rick was a fixture in the masonry industry. He knew everybody. Everybody knew him." O'Toole, now at Cloverdale Equipment, said Cianek had a gift. "We called him 'The Vision,' affectionately, for his ability to see in his mind's eye, the scaffolding, the projects."
Dan Zechmeister, executive director of the Masonry Institute of Michigan (MIM), said "Rick was a team player. We will miss him."When MIM presented the Grouting Workshops, Cianek stepped up with a batch mixer from Schuster Construction Service. When MIM researched high-lift grouting techniques, Cianek supplied Klimer Scaffolding and a SkyTrak. He also served on the MIM Board of Trustees for several years and was Golf Committee co-chair for the MIM Scholarship Foundation and MIM's membership chair.
Denise said the family has received a tremendous outpouring of love and support. "So many kind words have truly been a comfort to us." To make a donation, checks may be made out to Denise Cianek and sent to the MIM office: 24725W 12 Mile Road, Suite 388, Southfield, MI 48034. |
