Former Croscill Exec Joe Osborne, 68

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/6/2006 12:00:00 AM

New York — —

New York — Services were held late last month for Joe Osborne, 68, who died February 20. Osborne, a highly regarded home textiles executive, had retired from Croscill after 35 years with the company, last as a vp, sales.

“Joe Osborne was Croscill's psychiatrist. If you had a problem, business or personal, you went to Joe and you felt better,” remarked Mike Kahn, chairman of Croscill.

“David and I always looked up to Joe. He was a calm voice of reason and yet he was fiercely competitive, always striving to drive Croscill's business forward. His passion for our business and his family was unmistakable. Retired but never forgotten, we will sorely miss him,” said Douglas Kahn, president and ceo.

For Chip Scala, a former Croscill executive and head of Scala International, “Joe pretty much taught me the meaning of integrity. It wasn't money. For Joe, a handshake was a deal.”

“He was one of the best people who ever lived on the face of the earth,” remarked Dave Talbert, another former Croscill executive. “He was such a lovable guy, but he also knew how to run his business and work straight up with his customers.”

Osborne is survived by his wife Barbara, six daughters and a son. In lieu of flowers the family asked that memorial gifts be made to Sister Visitors Center, 2235 West Market St., Louisville, Ky. 40212.