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Jack Badash, known for his long career in the gift industry, recently died at his home in Bayside, N.Y. He was 92.

Badash joined the gift industry as a shipping clerk for Koscherak Brothers in 1936. Nine years later, he borrowed his immigrant shoemaker father's life savings of $1,800 to begin Javit Badash Inc. For a period, "Javit" became the largest U.S. firm producing hand- and machine-cut glassware, with placement in every major department store in the United States.

Badash was a creative product developer and a dynamic salesman. He developed many close relationships with customers, suppliers and sales reps alike. The firm owned cutting shops in Cumberland, Md., and Jane Lew, W.V. In 1979, he sold the company.

In 1984, Badash began Jack Badash Inc. with similar domestic production, before moving onto importing from Russia. In 1987, his son Mark joined him; together, they expanded their purchasing to Europe.

Badash is survived by Phyllis, his wife of 63 years, plus three children, five grandchildren and two sisters, ages 90 and 94. He enjoyed fishing, sports, great food and gaming in Las Vegas, and was a supporter of Israel. He believed in the American Dream, and his life was an American success story.

Source: Mark Badash, Badash Crystal