RIP JOE ROISMAN, RETIRED EVP PERRY ELLIS INTERNATIONAL

MR is saddened to report the passing of former Perry Ellis International (PEI) exec Joseph Roisman, who died on Saturday evening, October 7, at age 77.

Joe was born in Havana Cuba in 1946; in 1961, he fled to Israel, where he went to school and then served in the IDF. He was called to active service during the Six Day War. After living in Israel for seven years, he joined his family in Miami where he met his beautiful wife Aida.

Joe joined Supreme International in 1970 and was an integral part of the Perry Ellis Family for 50+ years. Recounts PEI CEO Oscar Feldenkreis, “Regardless of the task, Joe promptly said YES, always ready to accept the challenge with a smile. So many of us have such fond memories of Joe. Most notably, he was our ‘daily motivator,’ sending positive messages of inspiration. Joe was always the first to arrive at our trade shows, meetings, corporate picnics, and holiday parties. No matter what the event, he was first to be there and organized everything to perfection, especially issuing parking stickers, one of his favorite assignments.

“When I started my career at Supreme International, my Dad assigned me to work with Joe. He was a great teacher, and I learned so much valuable knowledge from him. He’d make me wake up early and be ready before anyone else. My first trip to Asia was with Joe in 1980, and from then on, we continued our amazing journey taking many business trips together. Every one of them was a different learning experience.

“Everyone loved Joe! His humor was infectious; he brought so much laughter to all of us. Even if it was your first time meeting him, he’d know what to say and have you laughing within seconds. Joe was a good soul…extremely passionate about his family, work, faith and community. He strove to do his very best always, appreciative of the richness in humanity and always living life to the fullest.”

On a personal note, the early MR team (Stu, Michelle, Karen) adored Joe. We have vivid memories of a MAGIC menswear show in the early 1990s. It was set-up day, the day before the show officially opened, and vendors were building their booths in 100 degree Las Vegas heat. Walking around delivering magazines, we were stopped by Joe who recommended that we take some pictures to run in the magazine. “Instead of Schmoozing, you can call it Schvitzing…” he suggested. And of course we did—one of the best-received MR features ever!

Notes retired MR publisher Stu Nifoussi, “Joe was one of my favorite people in the business: such a warm and friendly guy with always a nice thing to say. His smile, his humor, his honesty, and his accent were genuine and endearing. He was one of the good guys.”

Adds PEI SVP Lorraine Medici, who worked closely with Joe for many years, “Joe was a pillar of our company, loved by all for his humor, passion and dedication to PEI. He fought a long hard battle with cancer and always maintained hope. He’d been a young soldier in the Yom Kippur war and ironically, he died the day of recent attacks. Joe, we will miss you dearly.”

Joe is survived by his adored wife Aida, his sister Ofelia, his sons Maurice (Sherrie), Regan (Julie), Michael, and Justin (Lauren) and five beloved grandchildren, to whom we send hugs.