Heights resident, fashion exec Lord dies at 83

Rose Weldon
Marvin Lord, a prominent fashion executive and Roslyn Heights resident, has died. (Photo courtesy of the Lord family)

Marvin Lord, a prominent fashion executive and Roslyn Heights resident, has died at age 83.

A 55-year resident of the Heights area, Lord died following a bout with kidney failure, according to his son Michael.

Lord began his work life as a teenage bellhop at the Pines Hotel in the Catskill Mountains and later served in the U.S. Army as a cook. He also attended Long Island University, now LIU-Brookville, and played basketball during his time there.

He began his professional career in his mid-20s, rising up the ranks at Oxford Industries in various executive positions that culminated as president of the Holbrook Group men’s division and CEO of the Crystal Brands youth wear division. While at Oxford, Lord also worked to secure and manage the licenses for Polo by Ralph Lauren boys’ wear and and Robert Stock men’s wear, among others. All told, he worked at Oxford for over 20 years.

Lord later served for three years as chief operating officer of Sanyo Fashion House and another three as chief executive officer of Maternity Resources Inc. He then spent 14 years as executive vice president of the market research firm E.A. Hughes and Co. before retiring in 2010 to spend time with family and pursue personal interests.

An avid tennis player, Lord was an active member of the Racquet Club at Old Westbury and Shelter Rock Tennis Club for many years, and he often attended the U.S. Open, perched in his box labeled “Marvin Lord and Friends, C195.”

He is survived by his wife, Joan, of 59 years; his children Elisa (Steven) and Michael (Amanda); four grandchildren, Nicole, Alex, Matthew and Jordan; two brothers, Lenny and Barry (Joyce); and many nieces and nephews, according to his son Michael.

“He was a great family man and a fun friend who will be deeply missed,” Michael Lord said in a statement to Blank Slate Media.

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