Leslie Ban, founder of Leslie’s, passed away in August at his home in New York. He was 93 years old. Born in Hungary, he immigrated with his wife and children to the United States after the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. He survived the Holocaust and the communist regime and lived as a true example of the “American dream.”

He started as a traveling salesman with one bag of jewelry and built the company that is Leslie’s today. The company grew through his hard work on the road, with his wife doing paperwork and shipping from a one-room office in the jewelry district of New York City. He was very proud to be able to witness his company’s growth and its 40th anniversary this year. He will be missed and remembered with kindness by many in the industry. He is survived by his son, Andrew; daughter-in-law, Judith; daughter, Judith, son-in-law, Otto; and granddaughters, Anita and Nicole.