Andrew Major Passes at 83
October 16, 2004
NEW YORK, New York — Andrew Major, considered a legend in his own time by all who knew him, and one of the world's most successful textile entrepreneurs, passed on October 15 after losing his last battle to a long illness.
To the end, his dry wit and wonderful sense of humor kept him going. "I never met a man in business like Andy," said Jim Garner, consultant to International Textile Group, owner of Cone Jacquards.
"The industry suffers today because of not having more people like him, "He was a visionary and motivator of every level of employee. There was no employee who was not on his list of people he cared about." Garner had worked with Major at Cone and at Mastercraft over a 20 year period.
Andy will be buried in a private family funeral in Arlington national cemetery having served as a decorated veteran of the Pacific theater in the U.S. Army. A memorial service is planned for a later date, most likely in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Flora, who wishes the world to know of the great love they had for each other and his daughter Katherine Major Firman and son Nicholas Major. "I wish everyone in the world could have what we had together," Flora said. "I was ready for this moment but you're never really ready for it," she added. She knew Andy as 'kutja' and they both loved their little long haired dachshund 'Mutzko.' The three were inseparable until Mutzko's death in the last two years.
'Andy,' as he was known to all of his many friends, was the brilliant leader of Mastercraft, at one time, the largest and most successful jacquard upholstery producer in the world. Major and his partner Harry Turpan, also deceased were well known in furniture and fabric circles. They made a great team.
Major was a mentor to many young design talents over the years, too numerous to mention but they included Wesley Mancini, Stanley King and Carl Miller. One of Andy's favorite Miller patterns was 'Lilly Pond' which sold many millions of yards in the furniture industry.
In 1969, after eventually becoming president, Major acquired Mastercraft, the firm he joined as a youth after immigrating to America from his native Hungary. H e moved the business from New Jersey to North Carolina and eventually sold it to Collins & Aikman in 1976. In 1981, he became president of C&A's decorative fabrics group, its seven plants and leader and friend to its 6,000 employees. He was elected to the C&A board in 1984.
Upon retiring in 1994, the original Mastercraft plant which he had built was renamed in his honor. His retirement was short-lived when he founded Cone Jacquards for Cone Mills. Within five years time, from 1996-2000, Cone had sales of $50 million and was profitable. In 1999, Major was elected to the board of Joan Fabrics Corp., Lowell, MA.
Major is the recipient of numerous industry and civic awards, including the first Lifetime Leadership Award from Dupont in 1995, which embodied his creativity, devotion and legendary status in the fabrics industry. In 2002, he received 'The Trailblazer Award' and was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.
He will always be remembered for his wit, his generosity and love of life.
The service will be held on November 12, at 4 P.M. at Isothermal Community College. In lieu of flowers, Flora Major asks that contributions be sent to the Andrew Major Scholarship Fund at Isothermal Community College, P.O. Box 804, 288 ICC Loop Road, Spindale, N.C.
To the end, his dry wit and wonderful sense of humor kept him going. "I never met a man in business like Andy," said Jim Garner, consultant to International Textile Group, owner of Cone Jacquards.
"The industry suffers today because of not having more people like him, "He was a visionary and motivator of every level of employee. There was no employee who was not on his list of people he cared about." Garner had worked with Major at Cone and at Mastercraft over a 20 year period.
Andy will be buried in a private family funeral in Arlington national cemetery having served as a decorated veteran of the Pacific theater in the U.S. Army. A memorial service is planned for a later date, most likely in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Flora, who wishes the world to know of the great love they had for each other and his daughter Katherine Major Firman and son Nicholas Major. "I wish everyone in the world could have what we had together," Flora said. "I was ready for this moment but you're never really ready for it," she added. She knew Andy as 'kutja' and they both loved their little long haired dachshund 'Mutzko.' The three were inseparable until Mutzko's death in the last two years.
'Andy,' as he was known to all of his many friends, was the brilliant leader of Mastercraft, at one time, the largest and most successful jacquard upholstery producer in the world. Major and his partner Harry Turpan, also deceased were well known in furniture and fabric circles. They made a great team.
Major was a mentor to many young design talents over the years, too numerous to mention but they included Wesley Mancini, Stanley King and Carl Miller. One of Andy's favorite Miller patterns was 'Lilly Pond' which sold many millions of yards in the furniture industry.
In 1969, after eventually becoming president, Major acquired Mastercraft, the firm he joined as a youth after immigrating to America from his native Hungary. H e moved the business from New Jersey to North Carolina and eventually sold it to Collins & Aikman in 1976. In 1981, he became president of C&A's decorative fabrics group, its seven plants and leader and friend to its 6,000 employees. He was elected to the C&A board in 1984.
Upon retiring in 1994, the original Mastercraft plant which he had built was renamed in his honor. His retirement was short-lived when he founded Cone Jacquards for Cone Mills. Within five years time, from 1996-2000, Cone had sales of $50 million and was profitable. In 1999, Major was elected to the board of Joan Fabrics Corp., Lowell, MA.
Major is the recipient of numerous industry and civic awards, including the first Lifetime Leadership Award from Dupont in 1995, which embodied his creativity, devotion and legendary status in the fabrics industry. In 2002, he received 'The Trailblazer Award' and was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.
He will always be remembered for his wit, his generosity and love of life.
The service will be held on November 12, at 4 P.M. at Isothermal Community College. In lieu of flowers, Flora Major asks that contributions be sent to the Andrew Major Scholarship Fund at Isothermal Community College, P.O. Box 804, 288 ICC Loop Road, Spindale, N.C.
