Koç Holding's sad day! Businessman Can Kıraç has passed away.

Can Kıraç, who made significant contributions to the establishment of Koç Holding and became one of the legends of the company, passed away in the hospital where he had been receiving treatment for health problems.

WHO IS CAN KIRAÇ?

Can Kıraç was born on May 22, 1927 in Etimesgut, Ankara. Can Kıraç, who played a role in the establishment and growth of Koç Holding, served as the chairman of the automotive group. Can Kıraç, the child of Ali Numan Kıraç and Semiha Kıraç, was born in Atatürk Orman Çiftliği in Etimesgut, Ankara. Can Kıraç, whose name was given by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is also the brother of businessman İnan Kıraç.

After completing his primary education in Eskişehir, Can Kıraç attended Galatasaray High School and graduated in 1946. He completed his higher education at Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture in 1950. Can Kıraç started his business life on August 29, 1950 in Ankara, working at the automotive branch of Koç Ticaret, founded by Vehbi Koç.

APPOINTED AS THE HEAD OF THE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IN 1982

In 1957, Can Kıraç worked as the deputy general manager at Egemak, a company established in partnership with Vehbi Koç to continue and improve business activities in İzmir and the Aegean region, and a year later he was appointed as the general manager of the company. In 1963, he became a founding partner of Koç Holding, which brought together all Koç companies under one roof, and in 1968, he returned to Istanbul and started working in the Automotive Group at the headquarters.

Kıraç, who was involved in the establishment and development of the holding, joined the executive committee of the holding in 1973 and was appointed as the head of the Automotive Group in 1982. In 1984, he also joined the administrative committee of the holding and started serving as the chairman of this committee in 1987. In 1991, he retired after 41 years at Koç by his own request.

HE HAD 2 CHILDREN

Can Kıraç, who spoke English and French as foreign languages, served as a founding member and president at İzmir Rotary Club, a board member at İzmir Chamber of Commerce; and as a founding or trustee member at TÜSİAD, Turkish Education Foundation, TESEV, Galatasaray Education Foundation, and Istanbul Chamber of Industry. Can Kıraç, who married İnci Atav Kıraç in 1954, had two children named Aslı and Ali Numan from this marriage.