TOLUCA LAKE, Calif. — Jay Goldberg, a recent inductee into the California Tire Dealers Association Hall of Fame (CTDA), died Feb. 9 at age 86.
Goldberg, who was born in Akron, served on the CTDA board of directors for more than 50 years and had a long career in the tire industry. He was considered an early innovator in the custom wheel business,
His business career included time spent with Semperit Pacific and later as principal at Global Tire in Los Angeles, according to Billy Eordekian, CTDA president and president of 1-800EveryRim OEM Wheels. He also operated Anderson Tire, a retread business, with his father.
"Many of you know that Jay fought cancer and did very well for many years," Eordekian said in a Feb. 10 email.
"Sorry to inform you that he passed away peacefully at home last night. I feel lucky that saw him recently. We were able to laugh together just two weeks ago."
Anderson Tire, whose business stretched across the country, had a contract to purchase all the used tires from Sears, Eordekian said, recounting a recent interview he had with Goldberg about his career.
Eordekian, who knew Goldberg since he was a child, considered him his mentor.
"He was just a great person," he said.
Goldberg encouraged Eordekian to get more involved with the CTDA. When Eordekian hesitated on running for president of the organization, Goldberg told him "you'll do it because you're a good citizen."
That line — "be a good citizen" — was something often said by Goldberg, who himself exemplified the message, Eordekian said.
Besides his charity efforts — Golderg donated both money and time to numerous causes — he served on various committees for the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), a precursor to the Tire Industry Association.
Goldberg and his wife Trudy lived in Toluca Lake.
