The passing of a motorcoach mainstay

Peter L. Picknelly Sr., longtime president of Peter Pan Bus Lines Inc., died of an apparent stroke on Oct. 4 while on vacation in Portugal. He was 73.

In 1948, Picknelly began his tenure at Peter Pan, which was founded by his father Peter C. Picknelly in 1933. He assumed the role of president of the company in 1964 after his father's death. While under Picknelly's direction, the company has become one of the largest tour operators in the U.S., with 400 vehicles and more than 1,500 employees.

During his career, Picknelly was also an officer, director and stockholder of a variety of bus companies, and he served as director and president of the New England Bus Association. In addition, Picknelly was a director of both the American Bus Association (ABA) and the New England Passenger Transportation Association, and was the founder and first chairman of the annual ABA Marketplace.

Picknelly also dedicated much of his time to numerous civic and nonprofit organizations outside the industry. He headed the Springfield (Mass.) Chamber of Commerce and involved himself in groups such as the United Way and the Springfield Boys Club.

Picknelly is survived by his wife Judith and three children. His son Peter A. Picknelly is the current president of Peter Pan Bus Lines.