Fresno, CA, September 6-- Longtime Fresno businessman Morris Horwitz died Saturday. Mr. Horwitz, co-founder of A&M Carpet, passed away at the Community Living Center, where he lived for 3 1/2 years after suffering a stroke. He was 84.
"He was truly my mentor, and he became my best friend," said his son, Lee Horwitz, the company's president. "Growing up as a teenager, we didn't always get along, but we became very close."
Lee Horwitz was among those at his father's side when he died. Despite his illness, Mr. Horwitz enjoyed "talking shop" with his son.
Mr. Horwitz retired in 1991.
"He always wanted to know how the business was doing," Horwitz said. "When we had a sale, he wanted to come down in his wheelchair to visit. He was that kind of man."
The company — originally named A&M Linoleum Co. — operates two showrooms in Fresno selling several types of flooring, including carpet, vinyl, laminate, ceramic and hardwood.
Born in Texas to a family with 14 siblings, Morris Horwitz got into the linoleum business in the early 1940s, opening a store in Fresno with older brother Alex.
To encourage sales, the brothers would go door-to-door with linoleum samples.
During World War II, they closed for several years to serve in the military. When they returned, they devoted themselves to their fledgling company, taking it from a small operation to earning national honors.
Morris Horwitz was a stickler for quality and service. He encouraged employees to list their home and work numbers on their business cards.
"He wanted complete accountability," his son said.
As a boss, Morris Horwitz was generous with his time and his money. "He loaned some of our employees money for the down payment on their homes," Lee Horwitz said. "He was always supportive of people's needs."
Morris Horwitz served on the boards of Congregation Beth Jacob, Temple Beth Israel and the Jewish Federation. He also donated to many charitable causes.
He is preceded in death by a daughter, Marcia Stivers, and is survived by his wife, Marilyn; two children, Barbara Brietigam of San Diego and Lee of Fresno; and three grandchildren, Rebecca, Shelly and Matthew Horwitz.
Mr. Horwitz died two days after celebrating his 59th wedding anniversary.
"My mother was completely dedicated to him. She visited him twice a day for 3 1/2 years," Lee Horwitz said.
"She was an absolutely devoted spouse."
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Beth Israel Cemetery, with a reception to follow at Temple Beth Israel.
