Howard J. Locke, 77, who served as manager of purchasing and inventory control at American Industrial Supply, Perth Amboy, NJ, died March 7 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.   

“Our company has lost a friend and loyal employee,” Ned Higgins, CEO of American Industrial Supply, said in a statement. “His motto was, don’t put off what you can do today.” Previously, Locke had a distinguished career as a purchasing manager for the Procter & Gamble Co. in Staten Island, NY.