Longtime Fabric Exec Lou Masser Dies

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/20/2007 12:00:00 AM

Paramus, N.J. —

A graveside funeral and burial was held here Aug. 17 at Cedar Park Beth-El for longtime decorative fabric executive Lou Masser who died Aug. 15.

Masser, 86, retired in 2003 after 58 years in the decorative fabric business, most recently at the former Hoffman Mills where he served as director of marketing during 18 years with the company.

After World War II when he was looking for a job, he joined Barret Fabrics and later went into a fabric sales business with Hugh Rodham, who later was more known as the father of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

He later joined Belding Hausman, where he spent 25 years, becoming the only company president outside the family. He left the company and then briefly retired before joining Belding Hausman.

He was an active member of the decorative fabric industry. Former president of the Home Fashions Product Association Bruce Resch of Richloom Fabric Group related "he was a leader in the National Curtain & Drapery Association (predecessor to HFPA) and he loved the outings and knew everyone."

Resch added "he was one of the sweetest men I knew, a good friend, and a good industry supporter and HFPA friend." At the time Masser retired, Resch said, "the only regret I have about Lou is that he retiring."

For veteran decorative fabric executive Lew Magrish who worked with Masser at Hoffman, "he was one of the truly extraordinary individual in the industry. He had charisma second to none."

Alan Guggenheim of Continental Textiles remarked: "Lou had a sense of humor as well as a calm attitude. Nothing ruffled his feathers, he was a real gentleman."

"I loved him. He was not only a mentor but a friend," said Alan Rodus, a former colleague at Hoffman.

Masser is survived by his wife, Edith, a son and daughter.