by Youth furniture icon brought sophisticated styling to the category, allowing children the opportunity to choose rooms that suited their personalities and design preferences
HARRINGTON PARK, N.J. — Marc Katzman, a well known and respected industry veteran in the youth furniture business passed away on June 23 after a long battle with Lewy body dementia. He was 74.
Katzman spent his career in the furniture industry, following in the footsteps of his father, Sidney Katzman.
Marc Katzman was known for infusing sophisticated stylistic elements into the youth furniture category, offering children’s bedrooms that reflected their personalities and design preferences. He also developed innovative construction methods that allowed larger case goods to be shipped flat-pack and in smaller parcels, making it easy for consumers to assemble anywhere from smaller apartments and condominiums to larger homes.
His first major role in the industry was as vice president, sales for Atlantic Coast Furniture Distributors in New York, a role he held for nearly 28 years starting in 1976. In October 2004 he became president of sales and marketing for Opus Designs, a former youth furniture division of Hooker Furniture. He also later served as a sales and marketing consultant for Hooker Furniture.
He then founded InRoom Designs, a youth furniture specialist where he served as president for more than 16 years starting in November 2009. InRoom Designs brought a stylistic approach to youth furniture, with eclectic forms and pieces developed for boys’, girls’ and unisex groups.
“Marc designed, manufactured, and sold a wide array of furniture throughout a long and prosperous career,” a note attached to his obituary read.
Katzman also was said to have loved baseball and was a lifelong New York Yankees fan.
“His passion for the sport extended to his son Eric, who was a standout player for Northern Valley Old Tappan High School and the University of Michigan,” a notice announcing his passing read. “His warmth, kindness, and generosity touched everyone around him. His ability to tell a joke was unmatched, and those who were lucky to know him will forever remember him with a smile and a story after we are done shedding the tears.”
“Marc was truly one of a kind,” said Tommy Leflein, an industry sales professional who first met Katzman when he was a rep selling youth furniture some 50 years ago. “He could light up a room with ease, and making people laugh came second nature to him.”
“Yet, Marc reserved his best work for his children, Amanda, Eric, and Bryan, and his granddaughters, Sydney and Avery,” Leflein continued. “They were the loves of his life, and all of us who loved him will cherish his memory and miss him dearly.
“His warmth, kindness, and generosity touched everyone around him,” Leflein added. “His ability to tell a joke was unmatched, and those who were lucky to know him will forever remember him with a smile and a story after we are done shedding the tears.”
He is survived by his loving wife, Lori Falk Katzman; his children, Amanda Katzman Ferstandig and Bryan Katzman; and his grandchildren, Sydney and Avery Ferstandig. He was predeceased by his beloved son Eric Katzman. Marc is also survived by his brother, Alan Katzman, and his nieces, Brianna Mayo and Nicole Gam, as well as his brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Lynnea Falk.
A graveside service for Katzman is planned for 3 p.m. Thursday, June 25th at Wellwood Cemetery, 1500 Wellwood Avenue, West Babylon, New York. Shiva will be held daily, Friday, June 26th, Saturday, June 27th, and Sunday, June 28th, beginning at 12:30 pm each day at 51 Friend Terrace, Harrington Park, NJ 07640.
