BRADFORD WOODS, Pa.—John Allardice, founder of Releasomers Inc., died June 8 after a battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 77.
He studied at Washington & Jefferson College and the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a bachelor's in chemistry in 1962.
After working for a number of chemical companies, he started his career in the mold release industry at Frekote under the tutelage of Jim Shultz. In 1980, he founded Releasomers Inc., developing new and improved mold release agents for the rubber, plastics and composite industries.
In 1985, he received patents for "the method and composition for air bladder release during tire production," a breakthrough that had wide usage in the tire industry.
Allardice sold Releasomers to Stoner Inc. in 2008, but his wife, Susan, said he "never retired from working on new ideas and formulas.
Besides his wife, he is survived by sons John (Betsy) Allardice Jr., Scott (Marilee) Allardice, Shawn Lyter, Benjamin Miller and Theodore (Joungsun) Miller; daughters Julie Ray; sisters Jane Vankirk and Barbara (Mark) Draa; and seven grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org, or to CASA of Allegheny County at www.pgh-casa.org.