Lakewood, N.J.—Bill Findlay, who retired from Sponge Cushion, Inc. (SCI) as vice president of commercial sales in March 1998, passed away on March 20 at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, N.J., following a long bout with leukemia. He was 73.

Raised in North Arlington, Findlay also resided in Morris Plains and Brick before moving to Lakewood four years ago. A U.S. Navy, Korean War veteran, Findlay was a consultant in the flooring industry for many years.

Prior to joining SCI in 1988, he spent 10 years as field service supervisor for Karastan- Bigelow. He started his career as a carpet mechanic in the Newark, N.J., area before owning his own workroom, Essex Carpet Workroom, prior to joining Karastan-Bigelow.

“Bill was very instrumental in the early developmental years of TredMor DublStik carpet cushions,” said Jake Gregory, technical services director for SCI. Due to his affiliation with SCI and its carpet cushions, Findlay would eventually become known as “Mr. TredMor.”

“I know from the time I worked with Bill,” he said, “as well as being around many of his peers, he was considered to be one of the most knowledgeable people on the installation side of our industry and, more importantly, he wasn’t stingy about sharing his knowledge and helping others. He was very respected by his peers as evidenced by his selection as an Honorary Lifetime Member of the FCICA.”

At the beginning of his career, Marty Murdoch of M.E. Sabosik Associates worked for Findlay at the Essex workroom. “At the time, his wife, Jean, and son Bill Jr. worked with him out of an office in Garwood, N.J. I worked as a mechanic, then as his labor superintendent. He and his entire family were wonderful to work with and for. After that time, my next experiences with Bill were when he worked for Karastan Carpet.

“Bill was always dedicated to positive improvement in the quality of installation in the flooring industry,” he added. “He was a true friend. I was proud to nominate him for honorary life membership in FCICA. It was my high honor to extend that to him during my tenure as chairman of FCICA.”

“What a wonderful, kind man he was,” said Jane Walker of the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI). “Our prayers are with his wife, Jean.”

Findlay was also a member and past master of Durand Lodge, F&A.M. No. 179, Point Pleasant Beach, where he helped found the lodge DeMolay chapter. He also served as Right Worshipful Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of the State of New Jersey and was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.

An avid sportsman, Findlay enjoyed golf and fishing and also participated in and finished three New York City Marathons. He also was a member and former elder of the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, where he was an active member of the choir.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Jean Simmons Findlay; two sons and daughters-in-law, William Jr. and Susan Findlay, and Andrew and Patricia Findlay; his daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and Anthony Curcio, and five grandchildren, Andrew, Scott, Kelly, William and Lauren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Shore Region Chapter, 216 Haddon Ave., Suite 328, Westmont, NJ 08108.