HOPEWELL TWP., Pa. (June 15, 2016) — Thomas “Smiley” Mihalik, founder of Smiley's Wholesale Tire Co. in Aliquippa, Pa., died June 8. He was 87.
After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, Mr. Mihalik and Slov Krinkovich opened their own tire business, Smiley and Crink's, in 1953. Mr. Mihalik later built a building and moved his business to Mill Street in Aliquippa where Smiley's Wholesale still operates under the ownership of his four children.
He was a long-time member of the Tire Dealers Association of Western Pennsylvania.
Preceded in death by his wife Helen Jean and brother John “Ox” Mihalik, he is survived by his children, Karen Mihalik (Harold Hampton), Thomas (Tricia), Gary (Joyce Ann) and Jamie (Brook); nine grandchildren; and sisters Joanne (Jovan) Vukmaravich and Dorothy (Dan) Borato.