THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 6, 1994 TAG: 9408060148
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
Irving Joel, former President and Chief Executive Officer of A.J.D. Corp., died Aug. 5, 1994, of complications caused by cancer.
Born in 1928 at Stuart Circle Hospital in Richmond, Va, he was raised n Hopewell, Virginia. He graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in 1944 and Washington & Lee University in 1948.
He began his own business in 1960 in a 2,500 square foot building on Albany Street in South Richmond, Va. By 1972, Mr. Joel had built the largest hat company in the industry. Colgate Palmolive Co. acquired A.J.D. in May 1978 and kept Mr. Joel on as President. In November 1981, Mr. Joel bought the company back, and began acquiring other hat companies. First, Miller Brothers Hat in April 1984, then Resistol Hat Co. in October of 1985, and last, John B. Stetson Hat in December 1987. He liked to say that he played ``Monopoly'' and won.
In 1992 Mr. Joel sold the company to Hicks-Muse of Dallas, and remained as President and CEO until his 1993 resignation. The company was renamed Hat Brands Inc. and retained Mr. Joel as consultant.
In 1992 Mr. Joel was appointed by Governor Wilder to serve as interim chairman of RF & P Corp., a subsidiary of the State Employee's Pension Fund. He later became permanent chairman and remained in that post until his recent resignation.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Milstein Joel; two sons, Andrew Joel and David Joel; a daughter, Jan Joel Starnes; two daughters-in-law; Shirley Scott Joel and Mary Ann Giegerich Joel; four granddaughters and a sister, Bettie Joel Jacobs. After 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, 1994, his remains will rest at Temple Beth-Ahabah, 1111 West Franklin St., Richmond, Va., where services will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Hebrew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to make a contribution to Massey Cancer Clinic, P.O. Box 230, MCV Station, Richmond, Va, 23298. Attn: Dr. I. David Goldman, Congregation Beth Ahabah, or to the charity of your choice.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY
by CNB