The designer helped found the organization that later became Jewelers for Children

Clyde Duneier, a prominent designer and manufacturer who helped found the organization that later became Jewelers for Children, died Dec. 18. He was 88.

Clyde was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1928. He served in the army during the Korean War and, following that, in the Medical Service Corps unit. When he returned home, he joined the jewelry company his father founded in 1910, before founding his own company in 1969.

In 1982, Clyde helped establish the International Retail Jewelers’ Charity Fund, which originally fund-raised for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. The group eventually combined its efforts with that of then-Sterling chairman Nathan Light to found the Party With a Purpose fund-raiser gala, which eventually gave rise to Jewelers for Children.

Clyde was also active in non-industry philanthropy, starting the Clyde Duneier’s Diabetes Institute Foundation with baseball player Lee Mazzilli. He later received the first humanitarian award from the New York State Jewelers Association.

Sons Marc and Dana, as well as granddaughter Danielle and grandson Jake, are all involved in the business, marking the third and fourth generations of the family to work in the industry.

Clyde Duneier is survived by his wife of 65 years, Estelle; sons Todd, Dana, and Marc; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

(Photo courtesy of Clyde Duneier)  

Rob Bates

JCK News Director