Muffler-Repair Shop Pioneer John Rodosta Is Dead At 94 Submitted by N.O.V.A. July 2005 Times Picayune 05-27-1997 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ John Rodosta, whose career in automotive sales and service included the pioneering of muffler-repair shops, died Sunday at Memorial Medical Center. He was 94. Mr. Rodosta's success with The Muffler Shop, the first business of its kind to specialize in muffler repair, led to national muffler franchises. He owned more than a dozen Midas Muffler shops in Louisiana. Mr. Rodosta was born in Johnson City, Ill., and moved to New Orleans in 1920. He began his career in New Orleans with Whitita Truck Co., and then worked for Bohn Motor Co., where he became service manager. In 1930, he started his first company, Sti-Rod Auto Service, and later operated an auto-wrecking yard. Mr. Rodosta owned two car dealerships in the 1950s. In 1959 he returned to the auto-repair business with The Muffler Shop. He sold enough mufflers to attract the attention of the International Parts Co., the manufacturer, which invited him to join in the formation of a nationwide muffler-repair company. He chose to become a franchisee and eventually owned Midas Muffler shops in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Slidell, LaPlace and Houma, opening his last one in 1993. He also owned Radco Inc., which manufactured automotive lifts that he designed and patented. He sold more than 1,000 lifts before selling the business to Worth Manufacturing Co. Mr. Rodosta was a former board member of State Savings and Loan Association. Survivors include two daughters, Josie R. DiVincent and Rosie R. Dugas; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. A Mass will be said today at 1:30 p.m. at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St. Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Metairie Cemetery.