INDUSTRY FABRIC
Bernie Gordon
Pictured with his family. Ɇ Bernie Gordon, Co-founder of Wolf-Gordon and beloved father of former Executive Vice President David Gordon, recently passed away. Living to 98 years old, Bernie led a fulfilling life and career; soon after WWII, Bernie joined Gilford, Inc. with Mel Wolf until starting their own company in 1967 with the help of salesmen Tony Prota and Frank Carr. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bernie, and are grateful for the legacy he left behind,” said Rick Wolf, CEO. Bernie was at the forefront of the movement to use fabric backed vinyl as wallcovering, understanding that the commercial market needed high performance finishes. Leading the product design and development until retirement in 1991, Bernie passed over his responsibilities to his son, David Gordon. Bernie and his wife, Reva, proceeded to move to Delray, Florida where they enjoyed a long and peaceful retirement. In 1994, two of the founders’ sons—Rick Wolf and David Gordon—became President/CEO and Executive Vice President, respectively, and catalyzed a period of national growth by way of product and brand design. Interviewed in Wolf-Gordon’s 2017 publication, Sample Book: 50 Years of Interior Finishes , Bernie stated, “I’m proud of what we did when we were running the place, and I’m proud of the natural evolution that has taken place at the company since then. In order to stay in business, you have to keep coming up with new things, and that’s why Wolf-Gordon now commits so many resources to design.” BoF
11 The Business of Furniture | Subscribe at bellowpress.com | January 25, 2023
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