It is rare for a company to be in business for more than a century, and it takes the efforts of many people over many years to accomplish something so special. There are many friends and colleagues who have taken this incredible ride with me. There is an old saying that sums this up, “We are standing on the shoulders of giants.” I would like to thank some of those giants.
It is not possible to build a business without lots of vendors, partners, and customers. We have enjoyed many long-term relationships with so many great companies through the years. Thank you.
None of this would be possible without all of the people who have worked at this company through the years, and our team of FUNomenal Flyers today. I am so proud of our amazingly creative and committed team, and I’m so grateful for all of your excellent work.
As the youngest of five kids, I grew up in a house filled with love and laughter. My siblings were always incredibly kind and patient with their little brother who was often a big bother. I’m grateful to my brothers Mark and Tony for their contributions to Radio Flyer when they worked at the company. I’m appreciative of my sister, Therese, who was always willing to lend me a hand in the business when we needed help. I’m so grateful to my brother Paul for our close collaboration through the years and his supportive partnership. The company would not be what it is today without him.
I would like to thank my mom and dad for being such amazing parents. Through your example, you taught me that of those to whom much is given, much is required. Dad, I want to thank you for your leadership and stewardship of Radio Flyer for so many years. I have learned much from you—especially about great design and quality, and most importantly, about always treating others with kindness and respect. None of us would be here today without you!
Thank you to my grandparents Antonio and Anna Pasin, immigrants who came to this country with so little and created so much. My grandma lived to the age of 107 and passed away peacefully in her home in 2016. She would often tell me that Nonno was looking down on me, our family, and everyone at Radio Flyer, and that he was so proud of us.
Photograph of Anna and Antonio Pasin together circa 1930.
I want to especially thank my wife, Muriel, for being my best friend and the love of my life. I could not do any of this without your amazing love and support. You also made four incredible kids for us.
This book was truly a labor of love, and it would never have happened without amazing writers Carlye Adler and Campbell Schnebly, who are brilliant and delightful to work with. A special callout to Campbell for the time she spent in the archives getting to know my grandfather and adding historical research that provided me with a clearer picture of his life and made this book stronger. Our book team also consisted of Mary Kate Venturini and Ellen Eide, who invested countless hours searching our archives and libraries for images that told a story. Thanks to my intrepid assistant, Julie Jackson, who serves as our unofficial company archivist.
Esteemed literary agent Jim Levine understood the vision for this book and found us the right publishing partner. Cristina Garces, our editor at Harper Design, and her team brought this book to life.
So many people have helped Radio Flyer on our journey. There is not enough room to list the countless names, but I hope you know who you are. I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you.
Finally, thank you to the millions of people who own a Radio Flyer product, and those who have heard their parents, or even grandparents, tell stories of their childhoods starring a little red wagon. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for being part of our story.
