Video of presentation- September 23, 2026
Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented Harris Wilcox Inc. in Bergen with a New York State Historic Business Preservation registry certificate, recognizing the business for their years of service and contributions to Genesee County and WNY.
(Below information from a provided press release)
[Harris Wilcox Inc. was founded by Harris Wilcox on May 24, 1943. He was a respected business leader and extremely active in the business community. Harris was asked to use his auctioneer skills for a neighbor needing help selling her mother’s estate and she knew Harris Wilcox was the man for the job; and what a job he did! By the end of the following week, he had two more sales booked. While Holsteins and livestock were the original focus of the company, the real estate division soon followed in 1950. Harris Wilcox could now proceed with the sale of estate property and contents and settle payouts.
Craig Wilcox accepts the New York State Historic Business Preservation registry certificate from Steve Hawley. Both Hawley and Wilcox have known each other since high school. The pair were often foes during school wrestling matches. Assemblyman Hawley wrestled for Batavia and Mr. Wilcox for Byron Bergen. Wilcox says Assemblyman Hawley won more matches. Hawley says that Harris Wilcox represents honesty and integrity and their community has always come first.
Harris’s son, Craig, joined the team in 1966 and eventually his sons Brett and James joined the family business as well. Brett Wilcox’s son, Cash and his daughter, Madison are the 5th (correction/4th) generation of auctioneers and Cash’s wife, Heather, is an active realtor.
While business has always been a priority, Harris and his team still found time to give back to the community that helped build them and still do today. Harris Wilcox Inc. has evolved over the past decade to become identified with successful real property and auctions across New York State and remains a prominent regional business and legacy in the Western NY community.]
Four generations of the Wilcox family with Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Wednesday at Harris Wilcox located at 59 South Lake Avenue.
Craig says he tried to retire from the business six years ago. Retirement lasted three days. He says he came back to help out and continues to be a part owner. His family continues to run the business.
“They already know what they’re doing, they’ve been doing it their whole life too.”
Craig says he enjoys the company of his family each day and continues to work helping in the day to day operations.
“Mondays I go to CarMax and pick up cars that my son Brett bought that morning, and then Tuesday I go to Manheim Car Auctions in Rochester and bid on cars.”
His advice on retiring?
“Well, if somebody has something they want to retire to, then they should do it. But if they don’t, and they did enjoy their work, yes, may as well stick with it.”
Wilcox says it’s not a job at Harris Wilcox, it’s a life.
