Page 21 - Lighting Magazine July 2018

We were all told at some point several years ago that Ira “retired,” but there he was, still working hard in the Dallas showroom year a er year — either actively negotiating with customers in his “Ira’s Close-Outs” back room or catching up with customers in the Quoizel café, jumping up to x a drink or a plate of food for someone he had just met. Ira was all about hospitality and had a genuine interest in his customers’ lives — whether the topic was the birth of a baby, commiserating over a family member’s illness, celebrating a daughter/son’s marriage, or discussing a business challenge.
Ira’s personality traits of compassion, humor, and hard work weren’t limited to the man himself; they became the hallmarks of his children (Todd, Toni, and Gene) as well as the employees he hired. Ira led by example. He knew when to play it safe and when to take a risk. Most of all, he encouraged and inspired his Quoizel family as well as its customers.
In an unprecedented event last year, it seemed a large part of the industry gathered together in the Trade Mart atrium at the last June Dallas Market to sing Happy Birthday to this extraordi- nary titan of the industry in advance of his 90th birthday.
Ira’s tenacity and his irrepressible humor will be missed by his peers and customers alike.
In addition to his peers, Quoizel customers have shared their memories. Illinois retailer Nelson McMahon of The Bright Spot recalls, “We bought close-outs from Ira for many years. Once he called and gave me a page in Quoizel’s catalog and o ered a large chandelier at half-price. ‘“Ira,’ I said, ‘That is simply too ugly to sell. I can’t do it.’ He replied, ‘Nelson, just buy 12. You know it’s ugly and I know it’s ugly, but at half-price your custom- ers won’t think it’s ugly!’ So I bought 12 and Ira was right. I quickly sold them all. Ira was the sweetest, most courteous, and most upright man we ever did business with. We will remember him always.”
Mary Schulze of Garbe’s Lighting in Tulsa, Okla., recalls, “You could not walk in a room and see Ira without expressing a warm smile. He greeted everyone with an a ectionate hug and you knew right there you were part of his family. Ira taught me so much about the lighting industry. He truly cared about my busi- ness and my family. I loved his stories, his adventures, his humor. I loved how he could sell anyone anything, even his ‘Trust me!’ lamps. I truly loved and respected Ira and I always will.”
Barry Mino of Kichler notes, “Ira Phillips was one
of our industry’s most-respected members and I always admired him for some of his great marketing programs. Along with the rest of the lighting industry, I mourn his loss.”
Crystal lighting manufacturer James Moder states, “I am saddened to hear of Ira’s passing. He was truly a pillar in our industry and will be sadly missed.”
Andrew Schonbek of the eponymous crystal manufacturer recalls, “Ira was a master who wove together sharp business acumen and warm personal relationships. Condolences to the Phillips family, and to Ira’s large extended family in the lighting industry.”
Jim Fleming of Camelot Consulting Group quips, “I’m hesitant to extend condolences as I’d truly rather extend celebration for the immense joy, love, light, and many gi s Ira brought to his family and friends. You were abundantly blessed! Here’s a toast to you, Ira!”
“Ira was a good guy and a good friend,” notes Murray Feiss, founder of the lighting company that bears his name. “In some regards we were competitors, but we worked together on various commi ees to make the industry be er. Ira was my partner, along with Fred Glassman \[Fredrick Ramond\] in founding 4 Star at the Dallas Market. I will miss him.”
in MEMoriaM
july 2018 | enLIGHTenment Magazine 19