Longtime Executive Al Paul Passes

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/22/2009 12:00:00 AM

Chicago —

Long time retailing executive Al Paul died May 4.

Paul, 83, led the former Spiegel catalog’s home furnishings business through a radical transformation, rising to senior vp of home furnishings before retiring in the late 1980s. He created what he called “a department store in print” rather that the typical catalog of the time, which carried an array of basic items.

A 40-year Spiegel employee, he is survived by Janice, his wife of 60 years, two daughters, a son and one grandchild.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Mt. Aloysius Foundation, PO Box 598, New Lexington, OH, 43764.