WEST NEWBURY, Mass. (BRAIN) — Steve Pucci, a well-known face in New England bike shops and at road races for decades, is retiring from a career that has included owning a retail store, co-owning a distributor, and serving as a sales rep and sales director.
Pucci will retire March 31 as sales manager and territory manager for Downeast Bicycle Specialists, a distributor he co-founded in 1982. Joe Wilson will take over his position at Downeast.
Fondly known as "Pooch" to many, Pucci has been a friend and mentor to many around the bike industry and in the road racing community.
Pucci started in the bike industry in 1974 working for a shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1978 he founded Northeast Bikes in Saugus, Massachusetts. He sold that shop in 1997.
He founded Downeast with Dave Kinsman. The pair sold the Maine-based distributor to Doug Moore in 2000; Moore retired in 2013 and sold the business to Hans Johnsen Company.
Pucci continued to rep for Downeast after the ownership changes.
"I have seen enough winters in the bike business. Time to call it a day. ... I will miss the interplay that seems to come in this small business. Many longtime industry friends will be missed. In retirement I hope to spend more time with my grandchildren, ride my bike more and continue to travel," Pucci said in an email sent to industry friends recently.
Pucci told BRAIN on Monday that he will continue to be involved with CCB International, a club and developmental race team. Several CCB riders have gone on to pro careers.
"The team continues to grow," Pucci said, noting that the squad of U23 Americans is making a racing trip to Europe this spring and will participate in a 10-day stage race in China this fall.
"There is always something to do to keep busy with the team," he said.
