Article Number : 4379 |
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| Date | 4/13/2009 9:38:11 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=4379 |
| Abstract | CAMARILLO, CALIF.—Paul Wolfsohn spent his entire career in the floor covering industry—64 years—in just two jobs: as a sales executive for a distributor on the East Coast and as an upscale retailer on the West Coast. He was charismatic and a raconteur, a gourmet cook and an... |
| Article | CAMARILLO, CALIF.—Paul Wolfsohn spent his entire career in the floor covering industry—64 years—in just two jobs: as a sales executive for a distributor on the East Coast and as an upscale retailer on the West Coast. He was charismatic and a raconteur, a gourmet cook and an oenophile. Wolfsohn was comfortable in the kitchen as he was on the showroom floor. His expertise prevailed in both venues. He was also involved in industry affairs and in 1985 was president of the Western Floor Covering Association, forerunner of the World Floor Covering Association. In retirement for almost a decade, he died at his home here Feb. 24. He was 93. “Paul was committed to making the industry better for everyone,” said Chris Davis, CEO of the World Floor Covering Association. “He was very generous with his time.” In fact, according to Davis, if it wasn’t for Wolfsohn there may never have been a World Floor Covering Association. “When [Western executive director] Sherwood Sitz was fired, the group had no money. Paul stepped up to the plate and told the executive board that everyone needed to contribute $500 to keep this thing afloat. And he was the first one to do that.” Born on Dec. 23, 1915, in the Bronx, N.Y., his family moved to Passaic, N.J., when he was a child and he grew up there, attending local schools. In 1936, he joined the sales force of Jersey Carpet Corp., a major distributing firm owned by the Moscowitz brothers. He eventually was named sales manager and in 1956 was honored for 20 years of service and awarded a plaque commemorating the occasion. He remained with the company for another decade and then relocated to Las Vegas, where he and a partner, Julie Lakin, opened Imperial Carpet Co. When Laikin died, Wolfsohn became sole owner of the upscale establishment. Imperial was abundantly successful, having expanded its services to include interior decorating and ancillary products and services. Wolfsohn’s customers included many of the city’s prominent casinos and hotels. Then, in October 2000, at age 85, he retired and moved to California, and in a letter explained “to be where most of our family is, and we love it!” He kept in touch with the industry until the end of his life. Survivors include his wife, Deena; son, Marc and his wife, Cindy; daughters, Ruth and Robin; granddaughter, Stefany, and her husband, Eli Gluzman; grandsons, Josh and Eliot Wolfsohn, and great granddaughter, Sofia. |