soul

of blessed memory

Savvy Businessman and Philanthropist
Gave from His Heart

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I

rving Nusbaum was recognized by
television viewers nationwide as the
face of New York Carpet World, but
the most cherished role for this savvy
businessman and generous philanthro-
pist was that of devoted husband, father,
grandfather and friend. Irving died on
Nov. 27, 2018, in his Franklin home at
age 85.
Irving and his sister, Frances, grew
up in Detroit with their parents, Laura
and Abraham Nusbaum. Abraham, a
European immigrant, founded New
York Carpet World, beginning with
three stores in Detroit and Hamtramck.
When Abraham died in 1957, Irving,
then 24, took over the company.
Irving demonstrated his innate entre-
preneurial talent as he and his late part-
ner, Marvin Berlin, grew the business
into the largest floor-covering retailer in
the country; a $650 million operation
with 180 stores in 17 states. A mar-
keting mastermind, Irving pioneered
the idea of the company president as
spokesperson. When his son Robert
graduated from college in 1983, he
joined his father in the business, eventu-
ally becoming vice president.
Robert, speaking at the funeral ser-
vice, praised his father’s unsurpassed
integrity, honesty and fairness that led
to partnerships with many people, most
of whom became close friends. Despite
Irving’s exceptional success, he never
made an enemy, in business or in his
personal life.
“His handshake was more binding
than any contract,” Robert said. “He was
my mentor, my partner, my adviser and
my best friend.”
The company was sold in 1996 and,
in 2011, he and Berlin donated New
York Carpet World’s 92,000-square-foot
headquarters building in Southfield to
Gleaners Community Food Bank of
Southeastern Michigan, a move exem-
plifying Irving’s exceptional generosity
and desire to help those in need.
While attending Wayne State
University, Irving met Barbara on a
blind date, and it did not take long for
them to know they had met their soul-
mates. The couple were married a year
later, beginning a relationship described

passion and counsel will be sorely
by Robert as “a partnership in fullest
missed,” said Lea Luger, executive direc-
sense of the word.”
tor of Yad Ezra.
“As a husband, father and grandfa-
Irving was enthusiastic about helping
ther, you couldn’t ask for anyone better.
Jewish Family Service (JFS) with the
I was a lucky woman,” Barbara said.
resettlement of Jewish refugees from
During their 61-year marriage,
the former Soviet Union. Toward that
they built a home filled with love and
end, he and partner Berlin
Jewish values, which they
made a point to employ
imparted to their sons,
many of these refugees
Robert and Arthur, and
and helped them in other
later, to their grandchil-
ways, including a program
dren. They enjoyed travel-
to give bicycles to their
ing and spending special
children.
times with family and
Said Perry Ohren, CEO
their many close friends.
of Jewish Family Service,
“He was a traveler, an
“Irving got involved with
art collector, a gourmet, a
JFS because he wanted
voracious reader, a wine
to roll up his sleeves and
connoisseur,” said their
work on something, not
son Arthur. “He had a
just support something
learned appreciation for
… Irv also helped lead
the very best.”
the way in an amazingly
After selling the carpet
Irving Nusbaum
successful fundraising
business, Irving turned his
campaign to endow JFS’
boundless energy to man-
domestic violence program. Irving was
aging his real estate investments and
an old-school gem!”
expanding his philanthropic endeavors.
Supporting JARC in its mission to
“He couldn’t sit back when others
provide high-quality housing and ser-
needed help,” Robert said.
vices for people with developmental
disabilities was another passion of the
JEWISH INVOLVEMENT
Nusbaum family. Both the Mary and
His powerful love for Judaism, Israel
Donald Samuels home, named in honor
and the Metro Detroit Jewish com-
of Barbara’s parents, and the Nusbaum
munity fueled his support of many
Family Home, the nation’s first barri-
organizations locally and overseas. In
addition to their exceedingly generous er-free, green group home for adults
with developmental disabilities, bear
financial contributions, Irving and
Barbara gave of their time, supporting the Nusbaum legacy. Both Barbara and
Robert Nusbaum have served as presi-
local leaders with their wisdom and
dents for the organization.
willingness to help.
“Irv was always a strong partner who
“Irving always put the communi-
could be counted on for wise counsel
ty first, and because he was so well
and support,” said Rena Friedberg,
liked and respected, he was able to
JARC chief philanthropy officer. “His
bring many others along on behalf
commitment and leadership have been
of the Jewish people,” said Scott
integral to JARC’s success for more than
Kaufman, CEO of Jewish Federation
40 years.”
of Metropolitan Detroit.
Irving’s father, Abraham, was
When kosher food pantry Yad Ezra
involved in the conception of Bar-Ilan
opened its doors in 1990, Irving and
University in Israel and Irving car-
Barbara were among the first local
ried on the legacy, serving as co-chair
leaders to embrace the pantry’s mis-
(with the late David Hermelin) of the
sion to alleviate hunger in the Jewish
American Friends of Bar-Ilan University
community.
“The Nusbaums were true champions in the late ’70s. Robert Nusbaum, who
serves on the university’s national
in the anti-hunger movement. Irving’s

board, is the third generation of his
family to support the institution.
The Nusbaums were benefactors
for many other organizations that
included Yeshiva Beth Yehudah and
the Holocaust Memorial Center. They
were active members of Beth Abraham
Hillel Moses (now Beth Ahm), where
Abraham Nusbaum served as president.
“Irv and Barbara had a large impact
on our congregation over the course of
decades,” said Rabbi Steven Rubenstein
of Beth Ahm, who officiated the funeral
service. “He gave from his heart and
from his kishkes (guts).”
Irving’s nephew David Kalt, who
spoke at the funeral service, remembers
his uncle as a wise man who was also
“the world’s best storyteller.” He enjoyed
finding and sharing the hidden wisdom
in his favorite works of art, literature
and classic films.
Robert was inspired by his father’s
favorite mantra and the way he exem-
plified it throughout his life.
“‘No one gets out alive, so do it right
the first time, and live life to the fullest.’”
He was the beloved husband for 61
years of Barbara Nusbaum; cherished
father of Arthur Nusbaum (Laurie
Cowell) and Robert (Lori) Nusbaum;
proud “Papa” of Caleb Nusbaum, Haley
Nusbaum, Zachary Nusbaum, Jonathan
Nusbaum and Bradley Nusbaum; loving
brother of Frances Fetter; dear brother-
in-law of Gerrie and Harold Kalt; also
survived by many loving nieces, neph-
ews and a world of friends.
Irving Nusbaum was the loving son
of the late Laura and the late Abraham
Nusbaum; dear son-in-law of the late
Mary and the late Donald Samuels.
Interment was at Beth Abraham
Cemetery. Contributions may
be made to Jewish Hospice &
Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W.
Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322,
www.jewishhospice.org; JARC,
30301 Northwestern Hwy., Suite
100, Farmington Hills, MI 48334,
www.jarc.org; or Jewish Family
Service, 6555 W. Maple Road, West
Bloomfield, MI 48322, www.jfsdetroit.
org. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel. ■

jn

December 6 • 2018

75