About Worcesters Inc
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Serving counties of Lorain, Cuyahoga, Medina, Erie, Sandusky, Ottawa, and cities of North Ridgeville, Elyria, Lorain, Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield, Sheffield Lake, Westlake, Lakewood, North Olmsted, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Twp, Valley City, Medina, Fairview, Rocky River, Berea, Bay Village, Parma , North Royalton, Brooklyn, Brook Park, more! Worcesters Inc is a family-owned business specializing in lawn and landscape power equipment, cargo and utility trailers , as well as pet feeds. We operate a well stocked parts and service department with factory trained technicians. Alan Worcester is President of the Corporation and general Manager . Audrey Worcester is Vice-President and manager of the pet feed department. We carry a large inventory of power equipment including Cub Cadet, Ariens ,Gravely, Stihl, Exmark, Toro and others. Our trailer brands include Stealth,Big Tex, American Hauler, Carry-On, Sure-Trac, Look Trailers, Bri-Mar, B-Wise, Legend, Quality Trailer, Bear Track and more! Remember to check out our inventory including zero-turn mowers, utility vehicle, cargo trailers and dump trailers. Our parts and service departments offer parts and repairs for a wide range of lawn and garden and landscaping equipment. Call 440-327-2196 for more information. |
Company History
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Our company was started in 1926 by John and Esther Worcester. Originally a poultry hatchery the company began when John and Ester received a dozen rare fertile chicken eggs as one of their wedding presents. Located on Chestnut Ridge road in North Ridgeville (actually in 1926 the address there was Olmsted Twp) the hatchery grew to a 3 story building next the Worcester’s farm. In fact John Worcester farmed several hundred acres in North Ridgeville and owned most of the property he farmed. Their main crops were corn and hay. (hay is for horses) in 1942 a fire destroyed the hatchery building. At that time the business was moved to its present location at the corner of Lorain Rd and Root Rd in North Ridgeville. Animal feeds were added to the product lines and poultry hatching continued. In the early 1950’s outdoor power equipment was added to the product lines. Initially Bolens tractors as well as Homelite and McCulloch chain saws. In the early 60’s, Stihl chain saws were added as well as Bridgestone motorcycles, Rupp and Fox mini bikes and go karts. Ariens snowmobiles and lawn equipment was also in the line up in the late 60’s. Today, the company is operated by its 3rd and 4th generations of the Worcester family. |
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Extended history for those really interested folks:
Delbert and Shirley Worcester took over the company from John and Esther in the 1970’s. Delbert had a blessed life as you are about to find out. It seems Delbert had a passion for flying and became a private pilot at age 18. Delbert’s mother Esther hated airplanes due to other close family members losing their lives in a plane crash locally. [more on the incident later] Whenever Delbert wanted to fly, he had to sneak out to do so. Eventually, Delbert traveled west via automobile to visit relatives in California (actually ran away from home, but that’s another story too). The year was 1950 and the roads between Ohio and California were good, but not what they are today. On his way back home Delbert decided to trade his car for a Taylorcraft airplane that was advertised for sale at the Payson, Arizona airport. After spending time getting to know his new plane, Delbert had his return trip all planned out and was ready to get home. Leaving Payson, Arizona in February and heading to Ohio the big obstacle his plane had to climb over was the Mogollon Rim. The rim extends 200 miles across Arizona and reaches 8000 ft at its highest. The morning of the return flight quickly fogged in as Delbert climbed over the rim, eventually to the point of zero visibility. At this point, Delbert decided to make the maneuver his flight instructor taught him if he was ever in such a situation. That was to make a quick 180-degree turn and head back the way you came. This move ultimately caused Delbert’s plane to crash into the Rim. The way he crashed actually saved his life, as providence and the hand of God was on Delbert that moment. The crash landing was actually on the side of the rim which is at about a 55-degree incline (we have photos by the way. Photos of Worcester family members reaching the crash site in the years 2013 and 2014, but that’s another story).
It seems the 180-degree turn causes your plane to ‘bank’ and the plane was still in the ‘bank’ turn which lined up with the side of the Rim to the point where Delbert unintentionally crash landed in the fog. The plane nosed in and Delbert remembers the wooden prop disintegrating upon impact. Well as you may have guessed by now Delbert survived the crash, suffering a cut on this head and bruises. He began the descent from the side of the Rim carrying his suitcase (yes we still have this) and the tool kit from the plane (Delbert was very mechanically inclined and thus grabbed tools) the snow was up to his knees (February) and he soon discarded the heavy tool kit. Making his way to a stream (actually it’s called Christopher Creek) he followed this until coming across hunting cabins. Delbert forced a door open and propped a mattress up against the doorway to spend the night. The next morning Delbert noticed a box of pancake mix in the window of one of the other cabins and this became breakfast. With energy restored he continued walking and eventually came across a house with smoke coming out of the chimney. He knocked on the door and explained his situation. The nice folks called the local sheriff and got a ride back to Payson, where he eventually purchased a commercial ticket to get back home (none the worse for wear).
Delbert went on to competitively race go karts, ride motorcycles, own/fly another plane (he didn’t crash this one), became a North Ridgeville volunteer Fireman, married Shirley and raised 2 children of their own and 3 adopted children from his sister (she and her husband passed away). Raising 5 boys and running the company was an accomplishment to be proud of.
An interesting phone call….
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Reamins of the crashed Taylorcraft |
Alan and Tom Worcester at the crash site |
Del Worcester waiting for Alan and Tom |
The gps coordinates |
In February 2013 a call came into the home of Delbert and Shirley Worcester. The caller asked ‘is this the Delbert Worcester that crashed his airplane in the Mogollon Rim and left a hand written note in their cabin explaining why he stayed in the cabin and how he had crash landed ?’ The caller was Jan Clark and she stated the cabin belonged to her father at the time Delbert stayed [broke into] their cabin after the crash. The note Delbert wrote has framed and had been hanging on the wall ever since and she wondered for many years what had ever become of Delbert. Curiosity got the best of her and she started searching and calling anyone that had that name. Turns out she got the right person on the first call. They spent an hour talking and the call ended with an invite back to the cabin for a visit. In March of the year the family loaded up in their RV and headed to Christopher Creek, Arizona for the reunion of a lifetime. This included Delbert, Shirley, Thomas and wife Charlotte, and Alan Worcester. The cabin is in part of a private campground called Mountain Meadow Camp Bible Camp and is remote but beautiful setting with the Christopher Creek running thru the camp. Thomas and Alan hired a local guide to take them to the crash site. On the first attempt the site was not found. They tried again on the next day and were successful locating the crash site. Parts of the plane are still there but mainly the bare air frame ,wings, tail. The remains have endured multiple fires and extreme weather since the crash as well as locals hauling off some major components such as the engine. That in itself would be quite a challenge due to the steep incline and remoteness.
In the year 1996 Delbert and Shirley turned the business over to sons Thomas and Alan Worcester. Both boys ran the business and continued it growth. Alan’s wife June became secretary/treasurer. Thomas was president and ran the feed department. Alan was vice president and ran the power equipment department. Thomas retired in 2017 and continues to enjoy motorcycle riding, swap meets, and much more. In 2017 Alan became president and Alan’s daughter Audrey became vice president.
There’s more to our story so stay tuned.
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Contact Us
Call us at (440) 327-2196 or come by today and experience our superior service and selection! We look forward to serving you!