Marvin Lewtan, the founder of supplier firm Lewtan Industries (asi/67230), passed away on October 10, 2014. He was 88.

Lewtan, who was the chairman of Lewtan Industries, founded the company with his predeceased brother, Robert, in 1947. The duo at that point introduced their first product to the ad specialty industry, the Mighty Grip Jar Opener. Lewtan Industries has since expanded into eight different product lines, many of which are manufactured in the United States.

After a nearly 70-year run in the ad specialty market, Lewtan is described as somebody who truly loved the industry overall. “He had such a history with the ad specialty industry,” the company wrote in a note to Counselor announcing his passing. “He was such a visionary and his company and the industry were so much a part of his life. He was literally at the office until the day he passed.”

Lewtan is survived by three children (Susan Lewtan Langberg and her husband Glenn, Stuart Lewtan and his wife Lisa, and Douglas Lewtan and his wife Liz), nine grandchildren, and his sister, Lillian Lewtan. He was predeceased by Jane Sodokoff Lewtan, his wife of 37 years.

A funeral for Lewtan was held on Monday at Beth El Temple in West Hartford, CT. The family asks that any donations in Lewtan’s name be made to Beth El Temple.