Billionaire philanthropist Jerry Zucker has died of cancerBy John P. McDermott (Contact)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Alan Hawes Jerry Zucker, seen in this 2004 photo, died today of cancer. He was a self-made Charleston billionaire businessman and philanthropist whose global interests ranged from a professional hockey team to Canada's largest department store chain. Jerry Zucker, a self-made Charleston billionaire businessman and philanthropist whose global interests ranged from a professional hockey team to Canada's largest department store chain, died Saturday. He was in his late 50s. The cause was cancer. A native of Israel who grew up in Charleston and Jacksonville, Fla., Zucker had a mind for science and numbers that he parlayed into a business empire with operations all over the globe. A longtime resident of West Ashley, he was founder, chairman and chief executive officer of The InterTech Group Inc., a global conglomerate that is considered one of the country's largest privately held businesses. The North Charleston-based company owns textile, chemical, manufacturing firms and has estimated annual sales of $3 billion. Forbes magazine recently put Zucker's wealth at $1.2 billion, making him the 962nd wealthiest person in the world. Edwin Pearlstine, a part owner with Zucker in the South Carolina Stingrays hockey team, said his friend's death "is a real loss to this community." "He lived modestly but he was one of the most philanthropic people in Charleston," said Pearlstine, a real estate developer and founder of Pearlstine Distributors Inc. "He just gave so much it's just a tragedy. I'm very upset about it." Pearsltine said Zucker gave generously but quietly to hospitals in Israel and had set up a philanthropic foundation in Syria. For the complete story, see Sunday's Post and Courier. |
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Comments
This article has 5 comment(s)
Posted by ForPnC on April 12, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sir, you will be missed.
Posted by blackwoman on April 12, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How very sad. Charleston has lost a true gentleman friend.
We keep his family in our hearts and prayers.
Posted by MsBehavin on April 12, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He was a true philanthropist and his passing will leave a giant void in the Charleston community.
May his family know that the community loves and supports them in this time of sorrow.
Posted by CharlesinCharleston on April 13, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a very sad loss for Charleston and far beyond. Mr. Zucker was clearly an outstanding and generous individual.
It would be interesting to know if Mr. Zucker spent a great deal of time communicating via cellphone. Most British and other studies show very troubling links between brain cancer and tumors and heavy cell phone usage.
Of course, most of the American studies are not to be trusted, since they're typically funded by the cell phone companies, themselves. Furthermore, most American studies
have been done in the 250 minute a month range, which is truly nominal and far below average for most very active people.
Mr. Zucker's fellow billionaire and visionary, Richard Branson of VIRGIN Megastore, VIRGIN AIR, etc., won't use cellphone's without a cord, which places the antenna away
from his head. One of Branson's best friends died of a brain tumor several years ago and this friend was a very heavy user of cell phones. So, here's a guy who will take on business and athletic challenges all over the world, but typical cell phone usage scares him. He's usually ahead of the game and probably is, this time, too.
Many believe that cell phone companies have been covering-up damaging information for years, in the same manner as
the asbestos and tobacco companies.
If the loss of such a prominent and beloved individual leads to a more critical examination of this threat to the billions of cell phone users worldwide, it could wind-up being Mr. Zucker's most lasting global legacy.
Posted by philk1 on April 13, 2008 at 12:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How sad for his familiy and our community. Total shock.
Our community will never be the same. He gave so much. All could learn from such a kind hearted,giving man.
My prayers and stregth go to his family and friends.