EAST EARL, Penn. - Conestoga Wood Specialties founder Norman Hahn passed away on Aug. 18 following a lengthy illness. He was 81.

Hahn co-founded the wood cabinet components manufacturer in 1964, along with his brother Samuel. Since beginning in a small garage, the East Earl, Pennsylvania-based company has grown into one of the largest U.S. producers in the marketplace, with approximately 1,200 employees and 953,057 square feet of manufacturing space spread across five locations. 2016 sales were more than $140 million. Norman Hahn's son, Anthony, is the current CEO of Conestoga Wood Specialties.

Norman Hahn leaves behind his wife of almost 60 years, Elizabeth, and four sons: Millard (Joyce), Norman (Marion), Kevin (Dawn), and Anthony (Carolyn). Also surviving him are 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and four brothers and sisters; he was preceded in death by a sister and his parents. Hahn was a member of the Weaverland Mennonite Church, Weaverland Conference.

The Hahns' religious convictions were brought to national attention in 2014 when Conestoga Wood Specialties successfully challenged the Affordable Care Act’s mandate that employee health plans cover contraception, including morning-after pills. In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court ruled that the mandate conflicted with ownership's religious freedom as conservative Mennonites and granted the company an exemption.

A sustainable manufacturer, Conestoga is a past recipient of the Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. The company was also the first Associate Member of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer's Association to receive KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program certification. Conestoga's primary products include: cabinet doors, drawer fronts, front frames, and mouldings, made with solid wood, MDF and thermally structured surfaces.