Longtime furniture representative Frank Boschwitz recently passed away at the age of 85. Known in furniture stores throughout the metropolitan NY and New Jersey area as the “Lollypop Man”, Frank was always ready to hand out sweet treats to buyers and floor salespeople.
He got his start in the furniture business carrying a line of hand painted metal toll trays. During his career, he represented Marad Wall Décor, Metal Weave, Sculptured Lamps of California, Lynard Lamps of CA, Garcia Imports, Contemporary Shelves and Johnston Casuals.
Frank was born in Berlin Germany and was there in 1938 during Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass, 1938). His father perished in a concentration camp. He came to the US via England where he attended high school, college, married and raised a family.
An active and vociferous member of the furniture reps associations, FMR of NY, MFA and IHFRA, Frank was a 3-time president of the FMR of NY. He was instrumental in helping to form the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association, merged from precursor New York rep and retail associations. He also served as IHFRA’s Governor of District #2.
Frank was recognized in 1979 by GNYHFA for his exceptional efforts on behalf of the organization. That year he was also honored by the Furniture And Allied Industries Division Of The Anti Defamation League Of B’nai B’rith. In 1988 Frank received the Dean of IHFRA Distinguished Service Award, and in 1998 MFA of NJ presented him with a Distinguished Service Award as well.
According to Frank’s wife of 56 years Lorraine, Frank’s personal business philosophy was, “customers come first.” He had a passion for boating, skiing and people.
He is survived by wife Lorraine, son Ken, daughter Abby Boschwitz Feigen (who carries on his lollypop tradition), son in law Dan Feigen, and granddaughters Rebecca and Aaron.