Remembering LARRY

With the recent passing of Larry Rotondi, longtime publisher of Gifts & Decorative Accessories, this magazine and the gift industry lost a good friend and an important catalyst in the growth and history of our business.

Larry was a quiet, gentle, unassuming man, whose legacy may be measured less in outward symbols than in the impact he had on others and the relationships he developed during his career.

There's one phrase that best describes Larry Rotondi: “Family Man.” To those of us who knew him and worked with him, there was no doubt Larry's world revolved around his family — his wife Jamie and his two daughters, Jenna and Gaby, were the center of his life, and he shared his joy in them with all of us.

But Larry's sense of family also extended to two other “families” that held an important place in his life: his Gifts & Decorative Accessories family and his gift industry family. For nearly 30 years, Larry devoted himself to G&DA and to our industry, touching our lives both personally and professionally. His way was a quiet way, preferring to let the results of his efforts and counsel speak for themselves rather than calling the spotlight to himself.

It's not easy to take the measure of such a man, or to put into words the mark he made on us during his life. But the outpouring of sentiment we've received from across the industry testifies to his warmth, wit and quiet guidance. This collective tribute speaks of the honor, respect and generosity that are Larry Rotondi's legacy.

Larry and I both started at Geyer-McAllister Publications about the same time in the early '70s. With the exception of a brief hiatus at one of our friendly competitors, Larry spent all of his years with us on our firm's largest and most important magazine, Gifts & Decorative Accessories — first, as a sales representative, then as publication manager, and finally as publisher. Mentored by G&DA's longtime publisher and industry fixture, Bob Chiara, Larry became an indispensable part of the publication and a key factor in its attaining a ranking as one of the country's most successful retail merchandising publications.

When his youngest daughter, Jenna, recently stated that she never knew someone so sweet and steady, she described him perfectly. This was definitely the Larry I knew, so good natured that it was impossible to imagine anyone disliking him. And I have to believe that Larry's steady leadership was a major reason for G&DA's preeminent position not only in the gift industry but among all business-to-business publications.

—Donald McAllister Jr., former chairman, Geyer-McAllister Publications

[Ed. note: Gifts & Decorative Accessories was published by Geyer-McAllister Publications until it was sold it to Reed Business Information in 1998]

I knew Larry for many years, not only as a co-worker but as a friend. We had so many good times together over the years, but one of my fondest memories is the time that we went to Las Vegas for a trade show and took our wives along with us. We had such a good time together, the four of us. He was one of the most honorable men I have ever known; his word was his bond, and he always had a nice hello and smile for everyone. But most importantly, he was a very good and devoted family man.

—Bob Chiara, former publisher

I always think of Larry as a family man. I remember how thrilled he was when his youngest daughter was born … it was a real joy. And throughout her childhood, we were gleefully shown pictures of her progress (along with photos of her older sister). He was proud of his wife, too, and her many profitable ventures. He was a family man, for sure.

—Phyllis Sweed, \former editor-in-chief/co-publisher

He wasn't just my boss, he was right there with me for all of my life's biggest events. I'll always remember him sitting with his hands clasped over his belly, deep in thought, twirling his thumbs… .

—Alison O'Connor, sales representative

Larry and I worked closely together for nine years — when he was publishing Gifts & Decorative Accessories and I was publishing Playthings. He was my co-worker, my friend and my confidant. He was unruffled by the daily stresses of manufacturing an important monthly trade magazine. He went with the flow. His team loved working with him. And the industry respected his knowledge of their business and his years of service. He adored his wife and two daughters and talked about them often. He just about melted when his first granddaughter was born. He will be terribly missed by everyone who knew him. I, for one, believe that Larry is still going with the flow.

—Andrea Morris, former group publisher, Gifts & Decorative Accessories and Playthings

[Ed. note: Playthings is G&DA's sister publication that covers the toy industry.]

Old-fashioned virtues such as loyalty and a generous spirit were the stuff of Larry Rotondi, making him a delight to know and to work with. His years in the gift world are part of the industry's legend; business for him was a matter of relationships built on trust and a person's word. While his strongest industry ties were with manufacturers and wholesalers, he was fully attuned to the rewards and challenges of the independent retailer, since his wife, Jamie, owned her own florist shop in New Jersey.

Changes came in a big way during the last years of Larry's tenure at Gifts & Decorative Accessories. Shortly after I arrived, in 1997, the magazine was sold and we went through a number of organizational shifts. Over a four-year period we had three different office locations including one situated just eight blocks from New York's World Trade Center on that fateful day in 2001. The gift industry was also changing. Independents were struggling, manufacturing continued its headlong rush overseas, the Internet was going to end retailing as we knew it, and there were few new product introductions to capture consumers' imaginations.

Through it all, Larry kept his cool, maintaining his business ethic and his sense of humor. After all, we continued to remind each other, what we were talking about was stuffed animals, resin figurines and pumpkin-scented candles.

In our seven and a half years together, our disagreements were few and mostly centered on non-work related matters. (In spite of all my efforts, Larry continued to vote Republican!)

It's been more than two years now since we last saw Larry walking the shows in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, California and New York. (There was also a rumor that he was once seen at High Point.) But there likely will never come a time when the memory of Larry Rotondi no longer lingers in the minds of the people who knew him and cherished his company.

—Quinn Halford, former editor-in-chief

Larry Rotondi was a vigorous supporter of the gift industry, a tireless advocate for fresh ideas, and a generous champion of worthy causes. His unique insights and personal warmth will remain an inspiration to us all.

—Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center

Larry was one of the first people I met when I began working in this industry, and I remember how excited he would become when he talked about gifts, manufacturers and Gifts & Dec. He was so welcoming and enthusiastic and it made me realize that this isn't just an “industry” but a community of people who really love what they do. And the fact that he took time to help and support Gift for Life and amfAR only deepened my respect for him.

—Megy Karedes, managing director, marketing, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.

Larry was an unusually well-liked industry figure. He seemed to know everybody and everybody seemed to know him. Somehow, he always managed to have a positive word. Larry had a great sense of humor and a veteran's perspective. The industry lost one of its really fine people much too soon.

—Jeff Little, president and COO, George Little Management

Larry Rotondi is known throughout our Merchandise Mart Properties' family as a truly nice man, strongly dedicated to the gift industry. Larry seemingly knew everyone as he enjoyed robust relationships far and wide. As the publisher of Gifts & Decorative Accessories, he projected confidence in his team, trusting their skills, but available to nurture and help when needed.

Our mutual friend Bob Chiara first introduced me to Larry about a decade ago. I was fortunate to get to know Larry through service on the Gift for Life Board, and cherish memories of our work together for this life-changing cause. Forever, I will regard both Bob and Larry as true leaders and generous gentlemen.

—Joan Ulrich, senior vice president, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.

It's been very comforting to think back upon the long relationship I had with Larry … lots of nice memories and a friendship that endured. Not so easy, however, to isolate examples of how truly special he was.

Larry became publisher of G&DA at about the same time I started working at RUSS as director of communications. Prior to that, I had my own film company and Russ was a client of mine. So when I started, I had a very limited understanding of the gift industry.

When Larry came in to meet with us, we ended up making a lunch appointment, something that became a regular event for all these many years. (A very special relationship existed between Russ Berrie and Larry from the beginning. Russ could be a difficult person to get near to, but whenever Larry Rotondi entered a room, Russ would pull him aside and the two would sit and talk quietly together.) During our first lunch, Larry offered advice and told me to call if I ever needed anything. He meant it, and I took him up on it, looking upon him almost as a mentor. He got me through many a rough time.

The most important thing I learned about Larry is that he was passionate in his love of the gift industry. He knew the industry, understood it and was constantly seeking out those individuals who could help keep it vital. I remember sitting in a restaurant near the Atlanta Gift Mart with Larry and Andy Niemeyer, discussing the future of the industry. Somehow we got on the subject of how many good, young people there were in the industry upon whose shoulders the future rested. It would be great, we agreed, if these people could get together to exchange ideas. Not long after this lunch, such a meeting did take place … sponsored by G&DA and spearheaded by Larry Rotondi.

The legacy Larry left behind can truly be attributed to be his love for the gift industry. Through his enormous popularity, his knowledge, his understanding and his tireless if quiet efforts, he made a huge contribution. He's a man who left a mark … and made a difference.

—Sid Aronson, Crazy Mountain

I was extremely fortunate to have had the pleasure of meeting Larry Rotondi in 1983, during my retail career with May Company and Carson Pirie Scott. During the years that followed, I got to know Larry as a wonderful friend. Larry was highly respected by retailers and manufacturers alike because of his sincerity and knowledge of the gift industry. I could always count on him for great advice and friendship throughout the years. Larry was admired not only by his colleagues, but also by other publishers and editors in the gift and home business. Larry did a lot to raise the awareness of the business through his relationships with gift manufacturers as well as retailers. All of us in the gift and decorative home business will truly miss his kindness and great jokes.

—Gerry Seibel, vice-president and general manager, L.A. Mart

Larry was a legend. He always had a smile on his face. He was a pleasure to work with and a great friend. When we were in the early building stages of our company, he was always supportive and enthusiastic about our progress. That's something we will always remember. He will be missed.

—Tom Fulghum, Doug Miller and Tim von Gal, Urban Expositions

In more than 20 years in the gift trade magazine industry, Larry and I were first on competing books, then on the same book, then competitors again. But the friendship we shared showed that mastheads are immaterial. He was always a gentleman and we were always friends. I admired Larry's kind heart and understated elegance. Once, when we were having a heated discussion, he somehow added that one of his daughters was going away to college and he was concerned. I told him that I lived about 5 miles from that college, and gave him my home number and address. When I did that, his whole demeanor changed. Larry the Publisher disappeared as Larry the Father took over. It was a beautiful transformation, and showed the deep character of the man — loving and protecting his family above all else. He was a giant among men — even at about five feet, six inches tall.

—Tony DeMasi, Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties

Larry was a friend. The industry may not know it, but it just lost one of its leaders. We all will share the loss.

—Ron Knutson, SPI

Some people just make you smile. Larry was certainly one of those people. Always ready with a joke or funny story, Larry was someone I always looked forward to seeing on the show circuit.

—Suzanne Pruitt, Marsh Meadows Marketing

I worked with Larry in the middle to late '80s, when he was the associate publisher at Gifts & Decorative Accessories and I was a lowly advertising sales rep for Lehman/Kotick, a magazine rep firm in the Southern California area. While Bob Chiara, the publisher, had a huge, blustery presence, Larry was calming and always had a smile for me. He was a confidant and a friend, as well as my superior. Even when I left the magazine, we remained friends.

Larry was diligent in his job, and we were all surprised when he left Gifts & Dec to work for a competitive magazine. And, by the same token, were relieved when he returned a few years later. He was a terrific guy and a dedicated employee!

My fond memories of Larry and our fun times together will live in my heart, and I know that somewhere in the great halls of heaven, Larry's working with the advertising crew to “beef up this month's page count” somewhere!

—Millie Szerman, New Directions

I worked in marketing at the L.A. Mart for over five years, until 2003. During that time, I always looked forward to the inevitable, twice yearly visit from Larry during gift markets. Larry was a gentleman of the old school, who treated everyone with respect. He obviously loved his work, always had a story to tell, and never failed to brighten my day.

—Christine Silvestri, Urban Shopping Adventures

As the founder of Gift For Life, I am grateful to have known Larry Rotondi, who served on the board of directors of Gift For Life with zeal and commitment. He was an inspiration to us all, as he was always willing to help further the cause in any way he was able. He was generous and selfless in his dedication to Gift For Life and the fight against AIDS. We will miss Larry greatly.

—Peter Schauben, Gift For Life

Larry was the first publisher I met when I joined GLM in 1993. [The winter of] '93/'94 was the year we had snow, snow and more snow. I left White Plains, wearing my red Wellington boots and carrying a pair of “real” shoes, to catch the train [for a meeting with Larry]. He met me in the reception area before I had a chance to change footwear and insisted I stay in my wellies while he did his sales thing, and then we went off to one of his favorite Italian restaurants for lunch. That day, I knew I'd met a real down-to-earth person who cared about the person not the shoes they were wearing.

—Jennifer Okupski, George Little Management

Two decades ago, when I was starting my public relations firm, Larry was already a giant in the industry. Yet with his warmth, his wisdom and his wit, he took the time to help encourage a young entrepreneur. I could always count on Larry for a kind word, insights into the business and a referral or two to help me build my client base. Without a doubt, Larry was one of the “godfathers” of Gold & Company! To me, Larry embodied what was (and is) best about this industry — integrity, passion, work ethic, genuine friendship and respect for others. His loss is one to the entire gift/home industry, and he will be sorely missed by his many, many friends.

—Debra Gold, Gold & Company Marketing/Public Relations