Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 6, 2008
Bill Coffey, co-founder, Latex International
Shelton, Conn. — Bill Coffey, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Latex International, has died after a brief illness. He was 80.
Latex International is the only U.S.-based Talalay latex producer and largest supplier of latex mattress components and pillows in North America. Coffey co-founded the company in 1975.
Coffey started his foam career in 1951 as a chemist for B.F. Goodrich's Sponge Rubber Products division. During his 24 years with Goodrich, he led the company's polymer latex laboratory and drove its research and development. He had two rubber industry patents and consulted worldwide on the complex Talalay latex manufacturing process. He also was a past chairman of the Rubber Manufacturers Assn.'s Latex Foam Committee.
"As chemist, he helped revolutionize the Talalay latex manufacturing process," said John Pouschine, chairman of Latex International and co-founder of Pouschine Cook Capital Partners, the company's majority shareholder. "As a leader, he helped build the company of which we are so proud. He was a true gentleman with a passion for his company, its products and its employees."
Kevin Coleman, Latex International's president and COO, said, "Since I joined the company two years ago, Mr. Coffey would always come into the office and we would talk about the factory, our customers, and his family. These were special times for me as he had real insights into the art of making latex mattresses and pillows. He always had a smile on his face and always brought one to mine. He will be missed dearly."
Memorial donations may be made to Griffin Hospital Cancer Center, 130 Division St., Derby, Conn. 06418 or to Our Lady of Victory School, 620 Jones Hill Road, West Haven, Conn. 06516.
Edward Brennan, former CEO of Sears
Burr Ridge, Ill. — Edward A. Brennan, chairman and CEO of Sears, Roebuck & Co. in the 1980s, when it still reigned as the country's largest retailer, has died. He was 73.
Brennan began as a salesman at a Sears store, the third generation of his family to work at Sears. He rose to become chairman and CEO of Sears Merchandise Group and a member of the senior executive team. Brennan became corporate president and chief operating officer in 1984, and chairman and CEO in 1986.
Under his leadership, Sears embarked on major store renovations and focused on apparel, home and automotive, but still lost ground to such competitors as Wal-Mart and Target. Brennan retired in 1995.
He is survived by his wife, six children, 19 grandchildren and two brothers. Brother Bernard was chairman and CEO of now-defunct Montgomery Ward.
Roland Hobson Ling, VP at Stanley Furniture
Greensboro, N.C. — Roland Hobson Ling, a former vice president of case goods for Stanley Furniture, has died. He was 87.
Ling began his career in the retail furniture business in San Antonio, Texas, and held positions at Stowers Furniture and Jorries Furniture. He also worked as a divisional merchandise manager for the Sanger-Harris department store chain in Dallas.
He accepted the position of vice president of case goods for Stanley Furniture in Stanleytown, Va., in 1965. In 1976, he became executive vice president of Dunning Ltd. in Greensboro and later owned and operated Reserved Seats here.
Ling is survived by his wife, five children and eight grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Well-Spring Memory Care Activities here for the purchase of a player piano, the Greensboro Chapter of SPEBSQSA (Barbershop Harmony Society) or Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro.
William 'Ed' Shinn, owner of Empire Contemporary
Tulsa, Okla. — William Edward "Ed" Shinn, owner of retailer Empire Contemporary Furniture, died Christmas morning. He was 80.
After serving in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman in World War II and the Korean War, Shinn graduated from college and then worked as an interior designer for Glenn Pars and Sons Furniture in Ponca City, Okla.
He managed Hanna's Contemporary Furniture in Tulsa from 1964 until 1971, when he bought Empire.
Shinn is survived by his wife, two daughters, a sister, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis, Mo. 63141.
Gordon Charles Adams, former CEO, Leath Furniture
Elgin, Ill. — Gordon Charles Adams, former chairman of the board and CEO of retailer Leath Furniture, has died. He was 89.
Adams began working at Leath as a truck driver in 1939. After 42 years, he retired in 1981.
He is survived by a son, a daughter, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, 410 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, Ill. 60010.
Ettore Sottsass, a founder of Memphis Group
Milan, Italy — Ettore Sottsass, a founder of the Memphis Group design movement in the 1980s, has died here. He was 90.
He was one of the most prominent figures in the Memphis movement, a group of Italian designers noted for their postmodern approach, which featured brightly colored furniture, and lighting and accessories made of unusual materials. During his career, Sottsass worked for such companies as Alessi, Knoll and Olivetti.
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Latex International’s Bill Coffey dies
Jan 2, 2008
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