WMIA Icon Roger Criau of Danckaert Passed Away
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WMIA Icon Roger Criau of Danckaert Passed AwayDUNWOODY, GA - Roger Criau, former head of Danckaert Woodworking Machinery Co. and a founding father of the Woodworking Machinery Industry Assn., passed away on Oct. 23. He was 85 years old.

Originally from Brussels, Belgium, Criau began his career in the woodworking industry working for Cima, a tooling manufacturer. After meeting Robert Danckaert, Criau worked for Danckaert Woodworking in Europe, then moved to the United States in 1958 to open a North American branch of the company. Today, the Norcross, GA-based Danckaert Woodworking Machinery is owned by his son Marc.

It was in 1978 that Roger Criau joined with six other industry leaders to form the WMIA, an association committed to making "the North American woodworking industry more productive and globally competitive," according to its website. Criau served as president of the association from 1982-1984.

Roger Criau is survived by his wife, Rosette; Marc and his wife Sherri; grandchildren Cindy Fuller, Chris Criau and his wife Angie, and 7 great grandchildren.

Roger Criau's passing follows fellow WMIA founders Edwin Bass on May 26, 2012 and Richard T. Byrnes on December 21, 2011.

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