Albert Maslia 82, Atlanta
/SPECIAL FOR THE AJT/
Albert Maslia
Albert David Maslia passed away on April 9, 2014, six days after his 82nd birthday. Albert was the son of Rachel and David Maslia of blessed memory and is predeceased by his brother Victor D. Maslia. He is survived by his wife, Lucy Menashe Maslia; brother, Dan D. Maslia; children, Dianne and Marc Magids, Elise and Gary Meyer, Stephanie and Brad Ladden and Darryl & Missy Maslia; grandchildren, Jennifer and AJ Rosenfeld, Jeffrey Magids, Lindsay and Ben Morrison, Adam Meyer, Brian Meyer, Allison Ladden, Jared Ladden, Andrew Ladden, Mason Maslia and Alexa Maslia; and great-grandson, Benjamin Rosenfeld. His sister-in-law Beulah Poteat along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins also survives him. From the time he sold gum and magazines on Atlanta’s Peachtree Street as a boy to his most current work as Managing Director of AmericasMart, Albert exuded a people-focused philosophy in every area of his life. An Atlanta native, Mr. Maslia worked at the venerated Rich’s Department Store from 1952 to 1978. He began in the training program as a shoe salesman in the basement and worked through the ranks to become a Senior Vice President and member of the Board of Directors. While at Rich’s, Albert was involved in the Southeastern Housewares Club and the AMC Diamond Club, connecting retail merchants between Europe and the United States. After 26 years at Rich’s and discerning a need for greater variety in the areas of greeting cards, gifts and household goods, he left to create two later well-known and successful local retail chains – Social Expressions and The Linen Loft. Albert was a talented and experienced retailer with more than 50 years in the field. He learned first-hand in his days at Rich’s that “The Customer is Always Right,” knowing the key to success was keeping his customers happy. His office is home to famous pieces of memorabilia, including a pot returned by a customer to Rich’s with a burned-through bottom that constantly reminded him of this lesson. After 22 years at Social Expressions growing the business to 14 stores in the metro-Atlanta area and selling the chain to American Greetings, he went on to become the Managing Director of Retail Services for AmericasMart, a retail instructor at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University and a consultant for a variety of organizations including American Greetings and the Small Business Administration. Additionally, he served on the Emory University Business School Alumni Board. Albert was committed to assisting and empowering the Atlanta community through his involvement with the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Lenox Square Merchants’ Association, the Underground Merchants’ Association, Emory University Business School Challenge Fund and the Marine Toys for Tots initiative. He served as President of Congregation Or VeShalom Synagogue for two 2-year terms and was a past three-time President of the Buckhead Business Association. He served as a member of the City of Atlanta Board of Zoning Adjustment, a member of the Fulton County Board of Assessors, the Executive Committee of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and The Board of Directors of The Cornerstone Bank of Atlanta. Included in his honors are the N.R.M.A. Creative Merchandising Award, the “Bullish on Buckhead” Award and the Emory University Alumni Entrepreneur Award. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1950 to 1962. Albert always laughed when people asked when he planned to retire, saying that “My retirement notice will probably be in the same article as my eulogy, I’m still having fun.” Sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held April 11 at 11 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta, GA 30319, for the Maslia Chapel Renovation Project, 2014 PurpleStride Atlanta Walk at purplestride.kintera.org/atlanta/teampoppy or the charity of your choice. Arrangements made by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, (770) 451-4999.
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