Joseph R. Pacifico Jr., co-owner of Pacifico Ford, died of respiratory failure on Oct. 6 in Philadelphia.

Growing up in South Philadelphia, he was already working in the family’s automobile business by age 16. At age 19, Pacifico was a partner in a Kaiser-Frazer auto dealership.

In 1954, he became co-owner of Pacifico Ford Inc., where he worked for 61 years. As co-owner of the Pacifico Ford dealership, Pacifico was also one of the co-founding dealerships of the Philadelphia Auto Mall in 1970. At that time, it was a new experience where car shoppers could visit many dealerships in one location.

In 1986, Pacifico became a partner in a Hyundai dealership that was added to the Philadelphia Auto Mall’s other franchises.

In addition to running his dealerships, Pacifico was also involved in donating and serving several charitable organizations, including St. Edmond’s Church and The Guadalupe Guild. He also served as board member for the Pacifico Scholarship Foundation Fund, which presented many high school students in Philadelphia with college grants.