Raymond W. Zrike Sr.

Raymond  Zrike, Sr. of Greenwich, CT, founder of The Zrike Co., died on December 15 at Greenwich Hospital from pneumonia-related complications. He was 90 years old.

Zrike was known for his long career in the tabletop industry, including roles at Royal Worcester and Kosta Boda USA, as well as his namesake company.

Born July 27, 1922, in Brooklyn, NY, he was a son of Salim Zrike and Valentine Hamad Zrike.

Zrike was a graduate of Dartmouth College, class of 1944, and the Harvard Business School. During World War II, he served as a Lieutenant JG in the Supply Corps of the US Navy. He was stationed in Norfolk, VA and on the USS Midway.

His career in tabletop began when he joined the Royal Worcester Porcelain Co. in 1946, becoming its president in 1962. In 1975, he founded Kosta Boda USA Ltd. to represent the Swedish glass company in the United States and served as its president until his retirement in 1983. That same year he founded The Zrike Co., Inc., producers and distributors of dinnerware and glassware, in Oakland, NJ.

During his career, he was active in many industry organizations and served as president of the China, Glass and Giftware Board of Trade and as chairman of the Association of British Ceramic Importers.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jean, in 2011. Over the course of a 64 year marriage, they had four children who survive him: Stephen, Raymond Jr. and David Zrike and Joanne Huntley. He also is survived by his brother, Robert, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19 at Fred D. Knapp & Son Funeral Home in Greenwich. At 11 a.m. on December 20, a funeral Mass will be said at St. Michael the Archangel Church, followed by a private burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter, PO Box 845945, Boston, MA 02284.