TENAFLY, N.J. – Ronald Jacob Couri, president and CEO of Couristan, whose vision helped preserve the 97-year-old rug company’s legacy, died unexpectedly on Feb. 28 at the age of 70.
He served at the family company for more than 50 years and was recognized by his peers and employees as a creative leader. Couri enforced strict No Child Labor policies within Couristan by implementing internal and third-party inspections of each facility where handmade area rugs were made, the company said.
He also explored new business opportunities and ventured into initiatives that would forever change the landscape of how area rugs were manufactured, marketed, designed and colored. Through his knowledge of the floor-covering industry, he was able to structure licensing agreements with several brands under the Couristan umbrella, including Vanderbilt, Forbes, Disney, CARE and Marvel.
With a vision of manufacturing and marketing indoor/outdoor area rugs, under his guidance in 2001, Couristan launched its first outdoor area rug collection, a segment that continues to grow exponentially, Couristan said.
Couri was born on Oct. 8, 1952, in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up in Dyker Heights with three brothers. He attended Villanova and Temple Universities, graduating in 1974.
He is survived by two sons, Evan Brett Couri and Ronald George Couri; a daughter, Cristina Couri Salit; and two grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at the Barrett Leber Funeral Home, 148 Dean Dr., in Tenafly, N.J., on Wednesday March 15, from 3-8 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church at 8100 Ridge Blvd., Brooklyn, N.Y., with burial to follow at The Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations to the Ronald J. Couri Legacy Fund for the Bergen Performing Arts.
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