History

Cernak Fuel has been continuously owned and operated by the Cernak family since it began in 1935. John Cernak made local deliveries of petroleum products as a one truck operation, and started selling gasoline, motor oil, and tires at the former Cernak Service Station, which now houses our offices.

In 1957, John sold the business to his brother, Michael Cernak. “Mike” or “Mickey” made some additions as the business grew. He built a shop adjacent to the truck garage in 1967 and installed underground fuel tanks in the 1970s and 1980s to provide fuel storage. He felt that it was important for customers to have service in the event of an emergency, and started an in-house service department. In the 1980s, Cernak Tank Company was started to provide service, throughout the entire Pioneer Valley, for underground and basement oil tanks.

In 1987, Mike sold the business to two of his five children, Leslie and Rick. Today, five oil trucks deliver heating oil and diesel fuel to customers in Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden counties. The use of devices such as cell phones, two way radios, computers, service testing equipment, (among others), has provided Cernak Fuel with the means to better serve its customers with greater accuracy and efficiency. Technology has also lent itself to expansion.

In 2008, Cernak Fuel launched an initiative to deliver oil to the upper Pioneer Valley; oil heat customers warmly embraced the opportunity to purchase heating oil and diesel fuel, at a comparatively lower price, from Cernak Fuel, an established dealer with a reputation for being friendly, personable, and efficient.

Cernak Fuel also installs new, state-of-the-art, heating equipment in Hampshire County. Five service vans are equipped with a large inventory of burner parts. Each burner technician is licensed in the state of Massachusetts. Emergency burner service is available for Cernak Fuel customers in Hampshire County, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. For our customers in Franklin County, we have networked with independent service companies to provide 24 Hour Emergency Service with cost effective, local, service technicians.

When it comes to oil companies, size matters and experience counts! Cernak Fuel is small enough to treat customers individually-not as a number in a computer. Customers can contact Rick or Leslie, and most days will find them working at the office. Cernak Fuel is large enough to meet customer’s needs with fuel storage, burner service, and a well seasoned, professional staff.