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Roslyn, NY—Mortimer Lewis Weisenfeld, a former wholesaler and leader of many of the jewelry industry’s business, social, and philanthropic organizations, died September 9. He was 89.

Weisenfeld, who first trained as a dentist, earned his DDS from the University of Pennsylvania, following a college career at both Pennsylvania State University and Ohio State University. He had a private dental practice in New York City before joining the wholesale jewelry firm A. Cohen & Sons as a buyer and personnel manager. At A. Cohen, he rose through the ranks, becoming operations and sales director, to ultimately become president in 1969. Weisenfeld also served in both the United States Army and Navy.

Upon his retirement, he remained active in jewelry industry philanthropy, becoming especially known for his leadership of the industry chapter of NCCJ, (then known as the National Conference of Christians and Jews.) He served for 27 years as a director of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, including two years as board chair. He also was active in the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, the Jewelers Board of Trade, the Jewelry Industry Council (predecessor of the Jewelry Information Center), and numerous other industry organizations. He served as both a past president and past chair of the Twenty Four Karat Club of The City of New York, becoming an honorary member of that organization in 2000.

"Mort was always a fantastic mentor to so many jewelry industry executives and a great man all around," said Howard Hauben, president of Centurion. "His days leading NCCJ were remarkable, as we all wanted to support Mort and his charitable vision. I for one will never forget him and will miss him very much."

Weisenfeld was the inspiration for starting the jewelry industry’s chapter of NCCJ and its New Leadership Division for younger members of the industry, says Monique Shire, an associate at Wilson & Son Jewelers in Mt. Kisco, NY, who served as a founder and chair of the New Leadership Division.

“He was so much to so many of us that his loss is huge,” said Shire. “For all of the things he did philanthropically with time and money, he was never willing to be acknowledged. Anything he did, he did completely selflessly, not because he was looking to be acknowledged for it.”

Weisenfeld is survived by his wife, Barbara (Bobbie); three sons, Alan, Richard, and David; and six grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either Literacy Nassau, 187 Smith Street, Freeport, NY 11520; Temple Sinai, 425 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577; or a charity of the donor’s choice.