Jerry Prince - President of McKeesport Candy Co. 1972-89

Gerald Prince  Circa. 1952

Gerald "Jerry" Prince was a remarkably talented individual who served as the President of McKeesport Candy Co. from 1972 until 1989.

During that time, he was instrumental in expanding our wholesale candy company and introducing, Todds, our first packaged candy range, the most longstanding in the nation, while also operating several retail candy stores throughout Pittsburgh.

He was the third President - He was the second-generation owner, actually the second and a half generation, but that is a story for another time - and a true renaissance man who could fix almost anything.

Just as his father was, my dad was a trailblazer in the wholesale candy business and sets a standard for me to aspire to. 

He was the one to advocate for the company's expansion into bulk candy, citing how it was a less costly option and created less waste. His vision was always creative and forward-thinking.

He was always tinkering with something and enjoyed inventing gadgets for entertainment and making the company more efficient. It wasn't beneath him to don a pair of overalls and repair the elevator - once emerging from the task covered head to toe in oil - or spend hours taking apart the bag candy packaging machine.

His easygoing nature and enthusiasm made him a pleasure to work with, and the company flourished under his management for several decades.

In my thirty plus years of employment at McKeesport Candy Co., it is the twenty that I spent working alongside my dad that I cherish most!

- Jon H.Prince