Joseph P. CORy, sR.
Joseph P. Cory, Sr., chairman of Cory 1st Choice Home Delivery, led transportation, distribution and delivery services as an early adopter of technology and new ways of operating. His company offered “white glove”, in-home assembly and repair services and expanded from its Northeast base across the country, saying, “We are in the people business, not the trucking business.”
The oldest son of the company’s founder, Mr. Cory started working at Cory Home Delivery as a young man and joined the company full-time in the mid-1950s. His vision for the company was grounded in personal relationships and respect for customers and employees alike. To him, everyone was family.
Mr. Cory recognized that many retailers were not equipped to extend in-store services to the customers during the delivery and installation process, and that to the consumer, Cory 1st Choice Home Delivery represented the retailer. His staff underwent continual training and was instructed not to leave any home until the customer was satisfied. As a result, his company became on of the leading transportation partners for final mile home deliveries.
Services expanded from its New Jersey and New York base to Florida, Puerto Rico, the Midwest and beyond by continually finding new ways of operating. He embraced warehouse barcoding and real-time delivery processes to provide greater accountability to manufacturers and retailers on shipment status. Mr. Cory and his brother and business partner, Jim, codified the commitment to excellence and performance in the Cory Way and mission statement, which inspired a host of other companies to adopt new levels of professionalism.
In 1990, Mr. Cory was recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives as a dedicated civic leader for his extensive philanthropy. He was honored with the David Druckman Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association, and the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award. A deep believer in the value of education, Cory regularly provided scholarships among other benefits to employees and their children.