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Jerry Zucker (businessman)
Encyclopedia
Jerry Zucker was an Israeli
-born American
businessman and philanthropist.
with a Bachelor of Science (triple major) degree in mathematics, chemistry, and physics and went on to earn his M.S. in Electrical Engineering.
-based Dominion Textile Company
in 1997; he resigned from Polymer Group in 2003. In 2006, he acquired the Hudson's Bay Company of Canada
, North America's oldest company, becoming its Governor (Company Chairman) and CEO. Zucker was also a part-owner of the South Carolina Stingrays
of the ECHL
. He ranked #354 on Forbes 400 Richest Americans
and #746 on Forbes Billionaire List 2006. In 2008, Forbes placed his wealth at $1.2 billion USD He held over 350 patents in his lifetime and donated millions of dollars to international medical missions as well as local charities.
Ted Levin, president of the Emanu-el synagogue, said at Zucker's funeral:
decided in a controversial 5-2 decision to name a new North Charleston middle school in his honor. The Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science opened its doors on August 24, 2008, which would have been Zucker's 59th birthday.
The South Carolina Stingrays
, of which Zucker was part owner, adorned their helmets with a "JZ" sticker, a practice which continues to present day. The team also recognized his contributions to the team and the community by inducting him into the Stingrays Hockey Hall of Fame on March 21, 2009. The Stingrays organization unveiled the Jerry Zucker Community Service award, to be given yearly to the Stingrays player whose impact on the local community was greatest. The first to receive the award was Stingrays forward
Spencer Carbery
. The Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope, started in October of 2008, provides fundraising efforts for the Livestrong
foundation and also supports local charities engaged in the fight against cancer.
In June of 2009, Zucker's family made a donation of $2 million in Zucker's name to the Medical University of South Carolina
. $1 million was allocated for the establishment of the Jerry Zucker Endowed Chair in Brain Tumor Research, an institution intended to support research and investigation into brain tumors. The remainder was used to support spinal cord research and give neurological care and training to the people of Tanzania
, Africa
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
-born American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and philanthropist.
Biography
Jerry Zucker was the son of Holocaust survivors. He graduated from the University of FloridaUniversity of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
with a Bachelor of Science (triple major) degree in mathematics, chemistry, and physics and went on to earn his M.S. in Electrical Engineering.
Business career
Zuker was president and CEO of the InterTech Group. He was President and CEO of the Polymer Group at the time it acquired the MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
-based Dominion Textile Company
Dominion Textile
The Dominion Textile Inc. or Domtex was a major Canadian textile manufacturer that was founded in 1905 and closed in 1998 when its remains were purchased by the American Polymer Group, at the time headed by Jerry Zucker....
in 1997; he resigned from Polymer Group in 2003. In 2006, he acquired the Hudson's Bay Company of Canada
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
, North America's oldest company, becoming its Governor (Company Chairman) and CEO. Zucker was also a part-owner of the South Carolina Stingrays
South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
of the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
. He ranked #354 on Forbes 400 Richest Americans
Forbes 400
The Forbes 400 or 400 Richest Americans is a list published by Forbes Magazine magazine of the wealthiest 400 Americans, ranked by net worth. The list is published annually in September, and 2010 marks the 29th issue. The 400 was started by Malcom Forbes in 1982 and treats those in the list like...
and #746 on Forbes Billionaire List 2006. In 2008, Forbes placed his wealth at $1.2 billion USD He held over 350 patents in his lifetime and donated millions of dollars to international medical missions as well as local charities.
Death
Zucker died of a brain tumor on April 12, 2008.Zucker was survived by his wife Anita, who became the first female governor of HBC in its 338 year history, and by his children Jonathan Zucker, Andrea Muzin, and Jeffrey Zucker.Ted Levin, president of the Emanu-el synagogue, said at Zucker's funeral:
- "Anybody who reached out to him for help never went away with an empty hand....It's a loss not just for our community, or for CharlestonCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, but it's a loss for the world."
Legacy
Shortly after Zucker's death, the Charleston County School BoardCharleston County School District
Charleston County School District is a school district within Charleston County, South Carolina, that educates roughly 8,000 kindergarten to 12th grade students in 23 schools.- High Schools:*Central High School, Pageland*Cheraw High School, Cheraw...
decided in a controversial 5-2 decision to name a new North Charleston middle school in his honor. The Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science opened its doors on August 24, 2008, which would have been Zucker's 59th birthday.
The South Carolina Stingrays
South Carolina Stingrays
The South Carolina Stingrays are a professional minor league ice hockey team based in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Stingrays play in the South Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. They play their home games at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Carolina Ice Palace, also located in...
, of which Zucker was part owner, adorned their helmets with a "JZ" sticker, a practice which continues to present day. The team also recognized his contributions to the team and the community by inducting him into the Stingrays Hockey Hall of Fame on March 21, 2009. The Stingrays organization unveiled the Jerry Zucker Community Service award, to be given yearly to the Stingrays player whose impact on the local community was greatest. The first to receive the award was Stingrays forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
Spencer Carbery
Spencer Carbery
Spencer Carbery is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who is currently the head coach for the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL.-Playing career:...
. The Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope, started in October of 2008, provides fundraising efforts for the Livestrong
Livestrong
Livestrong can refer to the following items evolving from the Lance Armstrong Foundation:*Livestrong wristband, a yellow wristband*Livestrong Sporting Park, soccer stadium in Kansas City, Kansas...
foundation and also supports local charities engaged in the fight against cancer.
In June of 2009, Zucker's family made a donation of $2 million in Zucker's name to the Medical University of South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina opened in Charleston, South Carolina in 1824 as a small private college for the training of physicians. It is one of the oldest continually operating school of medicine in the United States and the oldest in the Deep South...
. $1 million was allocated for the establishment of the Jerry Zucker Endowed Chair in Brain Tumor Research, an institution intended to support research and investigation into brain tumors. The remainder was used to support spinal cord research and give neurological care and training to the people of Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.