The West Shore Oil Co., Inc. was founded by Fred W. Adams in 1934 serving the local area in Perry County with one truck delivering kerosene. In 1938 he had increased to four trucks delivering fuel oil and kerosene.

Mr. Adams "Fred" always took care of his customers, he had their best interest at heart. Still today you can find many local residents who have fond stories of Fred's commitment to his customers, and the excellent service that he provided to them. 

Fred would work all hours of the night repairing furnaces, only to return to the office the next morning to put in a full days work. This type of work ethic and commitment to the customers forged by Fred years ago is still one of the company's core values held by our management and our employees to this day.

Fred has always been civic-minded, and believed in giving something back to the community. He was a member of the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, and one of the founding members of the Marysville Lions Club. He was a former President of the Marysville Club where he served well during his tenure.

Mr. Adams served as President and CEO of the West Shore Oil Co, Inc., until 1982 when he appointed Mr. Marlin E. Martin as President of the company. Marlin had been the company's business manager for several years and had possessed a real interest in the continued success of the company.

Mr. Adams retired in 1987, but not before hand-picking and training his replacement for the job as the next CEO of the West Shore Oil Co., Inc. Mr. Marlin E. Martin, who was serving as President, was the perfect pick for the next CEO of the Company.

Under his leadership, Marlin brought the West Shore Oil Co., Inc. to be one of the best small companies in the Central Pennsylvania area. The service department received much more attention when he started the WESCO Heating & Cooling division of the West Shore Oil Co., Inc. Marlin saw a need for a better marketing plan for some of the services that were always available at the West Shore Oil Co. Inc., "but no one knew that we did that type of work." In answer to that problem, the division was started to make the general public more aware of the services provided by the company. It was a tremendous success in promoting the service department.

Mr. Martin, like his predecessor Mr. Adams, had a real heart for the community. He served as President of the Marysville Lions Club, and a member of the Blue Lodge of the Free Masons in Marysville.  Mr. Martin served in many posts in the State Petroleum Association, he served on the Education Committee, Motor Fuels Committee, and as Treasurer of the Association. Mr. Martin was also very involved in The Greater Harrisburg Oil Heat Association.

Marlin put a classroom in one of the buildings at the office. The classroom has been put to good use since it was installed. The company has factory representatives and manufacturers train the employees on a quarterly basis. This program was implemented in addition to the standard training received through the state associations and the trade schools, not to replace the former training programs.

The education program was set up to help our people excel in their trade and in turn help our company excel through the efforts and hard work of a highly trained staff of employees who will provide a better service to our customers.

Marlin retired August 1, 2001, at which time Brian Walters became president of West Shore Oil Company, Inc.