Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 31, 2008
Grant G. Simmons Jr., former Simmons CEO
Hilton Head, S.C. — Grant G. Simmons Jr., former CEO of the bedding company that still bears his family name, has died. He was 88.
He joined Simmons Co. in 1946 and became CEO in 1957, holding the post for 21 years as the company grew in sales and profits.
He was the fourth and final generation of the Simmons family to lead the company. As CEO, he continued in the tradition of innovation established by his great-grandfather, company founder Zalmon G. Simmons. Among Grant Simmons' accomplishments were the introduction of the first king- and queen-sized mattresses and the opening of Simmons' National Technological Center, a research and testing facility.
He also diversified the company's product portfolio through the acquisition of several home décor companies, a move that placed Simmons among the largest American home furnishing manufacturers in the late 1970s.
He viewed the South as a center of growth and was instrumental in moving Simmons' corporate headquarters from New York to Atlanta. An avid environmentalist, he had the new building constructed to fit its natural surroundings.
"He was ahead of his time when it came to being 'green,'" said Simmons Vice President Roger Murray, who joined the company during Grant Simmons' tenure.
"He was passionate about his environmental and philanthropic efforts and he will be remembered for them."
Simmons Chairman and CEO Charlie Eitel added, "We are extremely saddened by Mr. Simmons' passing. He was a devoted leader that cared deeply for the company and its employees.
"This is not just a loss to the Simmons family; it's a loss to our company family as well."
Survivors include a son, a stepson, two daughters, two stepdaughters, three grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Cape May Bird Observatory, 600 Route 47 North, Cape May Court House, N.J., 08210.
William Edward Smith, former Henredon president
Morganton, N.C. — William Edward Smith, former president of high-end manufacturer Henredon and one of the company's first employees, died last week after a brief illness. He was 85.
Smith was a Harvard University graduate who served as an army officer during World War II and later worked for General Motors in New York.
In 1947, he was hired at the newly formed Henredon Furniture by one of its founders, Ralph Edwards. He was named sales manager in 1957, vice president in 1966, and president of company subsidiary Marimont Furniture in 1972.
He became president of Henredon and all its subsidiaries in 1977, serving in the post until he retired in 1987, when the company was purchased by Masco.
Smith was selected by the Wall Street Transcript in 1981 as one of the three top CEOs in the home furnishings industry.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter and several grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 303 S. King St., Morganton, N.C. 28655, or the Salvation Army, 420 W. Fleming Dr., Morganton, N.C. 28655.
Irv Gunshor, industry rep
Louisville, Ky. — Industry veteran Irv Gunshor, a former sales representative with several companies, most recently Ashley, has died after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. He was 82.
Gunshor worked in the industry for more than 40 years, beginning as sales manager for Art Furniture Co., a family-owned manufacturer of desks based in Macon, Ga.
In 1962, after Art Furniture was purchased by Bassett, he became the regional sales representative for Western Stickley in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. He was based in St. Louis and lived there through the Singer buyout of Stickley.
Gunshor moved to Chicago with Singer in 1972 and was the sales rep for the occasional table division. He later finished his selling career with Ashley, retiring in 1997.
He served as an engineer in the Army in World War II and was active in liberating prisoners at Buchenwald concentration camp in Germany.
His son, Jeff Gunshor, is sales director for textiles importer and exporter Divatex Home Fashions. His son-in-law, Steve Corson, is a rep for Universal. He also is survived by a daughter, four grandchildren and a sister.
David Goldstein, rep agency chief
Tenafly, N.J. — David Goldstein, president of rep agency Metropolitan Furniture Marketing Services, has died following complications from back surgery. He was 66.
Goldstein had a long and successful career in the home furnishings industry. Born into the business, his family had a bedding manufacturing company in Brooklyn, N.Y.
He joined Stanley Furniture as a junior representative in 1965, working for Lou Davis. He later worked for Schnadig as merchandising manager for the International Division, then joined Stanley in 1974 to lead the newly combined New York and New Jersey territories. He started Metropolitan Furniture Marketing Services in 1983. In 1994, he joined Universal Furniture Inds. and worked with the company until recently.
Goldstein also served on the boards of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assn. and the Metropolitan Furnishings Assn. of New Jersey.
"He was an executive board member and a board member of the GNYHFA for more than 40 years and he contributed greatly to all causes in the furniture industry in the metropolitan area," said Barbara Goldstein, GNYHFA executive director. "His input and insight into the industry will be greatly missed."
He was Stanley's salesman of the year twice. In 2004, the MFA gave him the Howard Liveright Memorial Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the industry. In 2006, the GNYHFA presented him with the Meadoff Award for Sportsmanship.
He is survived by his companion, two brothers and two stepsons.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Burton S. Bergman, co-owner Butler Specialty
Highland Park, Ill. — Burton S. Bergman, an owner of accent furniture specialist Butler Specialty Co., has died. He was 76.
Bergman was a second-generation owner of the 78-year-old Chicago-based company along with Burt Fainman, also a second-generation owner.
"Not only were we business associates, but we were friends," said Fainman, who knew Bergman almost all his life. "We were associates for over 50 years. I will miss him very much, much more than I can say."
Bergman, who concentrated on production and product development, led the company's move into Asian sourcing more than 30 years ago.
His son, David Bergman, is now president of Butler Specialty Co.
Other survivors include his wife, two daughters, six grandchildren and a sister.
Memorials may be made to the Goldner Family Fund, in care of Children's Tumor Foundation, 95 Pine St., 16th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005.
John Joseph Pardy, Viewpoint
Mamaroneck, NY. — John Joseph Pardy, president and founder of Viewpoint Studios in Greensboro, N.C., and Look Advertising in New York, has died. He was 50.
Founded in 1993, Viewpoint Studios is an international photography company that specializes in large-set construction, interior design, daylight photography and processing, and digital imaging. In 2006, Pardy launched Look Advertising to bring more business to Viewpoint. The plan was for Viewpoint to become the production arm of the ad agency. The furniture industry accounts for 50% of the company's business.
He is survived by his wife, three sons, three daughters and a granddaughter.
Memorial donations may be sent to Fred J. Wellington Memorial Foundation for Child Development Inc., 2035 South W. 75th, Gainesville, Fla. 32607.
