UNION CITY, Ind. — Workhorse Custom Chassis today announced that its vice president of OEM sales, John Margalski, 66, passed away on Saturday, April 19, after a battle with cancer. He had been on a leave of absence since 2006.

Margalski joined Workhorse soon after its incorporation in 1998. As director of RV sales, he was part of the initial leadership team that took over General Motors’ RV and commercial walk-in truck chassis business after its acquisition by Workhorse in early 1999.

Before joining Workhorse, Margalski had served with General Motors for 35 years. His last position was assistant manager for RV sales for Chevrolet. In 1973 he was one of the first employees of General Motors’ RV chassis business in Detroit. His other General Motors positions included senior quality engineer, area manager of production, customer satisfaction manager and sales manager. He also oversaw the development of an extensive OEM and dealer support team that led the way in introducing Workhorse chassis innovations to the industry.

“John Margalski has been the face of Workhorse to RV dealers and manufacturers since our earliest days,” said Dave Olsen, president of Workhorse. “He was a great leader, and played an instrumental role in our biggest successes. He will be greatly missed as a friend and colleague.”

Margalski is survived by his wife, Gail, daughter Sheri Crocenzi, and sons John and Jason, along with many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Michigan Prostate Cancer Research. Friends are also invited to share a “memorial tribute” with the family at griffinfuneralhome.com.