Mort Harris, philanthropist and American Axle co-founder, dies at 101
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Mort Harris, who co-founded auto industry supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. and earned renown for his philanthropy, has died at 101.
The former industrialist, entrepreneur and former Detroit News Michiganian of the Year died Wednesday, according to a statement from Northwood University.
“Mort was a great man and a special person that meant so much to so many, American Axle Chairman and CEO David Dauch said in a statement Friday. He certainly had a strong and positive influence on all that knew him.
The company launched when Richard Dauch, a former Chrysler executive vice president in worldwide manufacturing, formed a small investment team with Harris to buy what was known as the Final Drive and Forge Business Unit which had five facilities in the U.S. from General Motors, according to American Axle s website.
American Axle Co-founder, philanthropist Mort Harris dies at 101
Was decorated WWII pilot
Harris family
Mort Harris died May 5, 2021. He was 101.
Mort Harris, entrepreneur, co-founder of auto industry supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. and longtime philanthopist, died Wednesday, according to a statement from Northwood University. He was 101.
No cause of death was given.
Harris was a decorated U.S. Army Air Forces pilot during WWII, helped build American Axle after its spinoff from General Motors and donated tens of millions of dollars to countless nonprofits in Southeast Michigan, including Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System.
One of Harris more recent donations was $40 million to Henry Ford Health System, half to support cancer care and research and to name the Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, named for his late wife who died of pancreatic cancer. The pavilion opened in January.
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Courtesy of Bridge, as of May 6
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