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Seymour Holtzman, 88, Owner of CD Peacock and Many Other Businesses June 07, 2024 (1 comment)
Wilkes-Barre, PA--Seymour Holtzman, 88, of Palm Beach, Fla., passed away May 28. He was the owner of Chicago jewelry and watch retailer, CD Peacock, considered the oldest retail business in Chicago. He purchased the business in 1993 and it remains under the Holtzman family ownership with two locations in the Chicago area.
Mr. Holtzman also owned other businesses in the watch and jewelry industry, including a Rolex boutique in Miami and Gruen Marketing Corp., a watch distributor. He owned other retail businesses as well such as the JewelCor retail chain and the largest individual shareholder of Destination XL Group, a specialty retailer of big and tall men’s apparel.
On his website it details several other businesses he has owned or established over the years, including those in the banking and thrift industries.
Mr. Holtzman was born in Wilkes-Barre to Max and Bella Holtzman (nee Spivak). He married in 1957 to Evelyn (Evie) Holtzman. The couple would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on June 9. “He had a rough exterior, but a very soft heart,” Mrs. Holtzman was quoted as saying in the “Times-Leader newspaper.
Holtzman’s son, Marc, sent a synopsis of his father’s life that he and the family compiled.
“From modest beginnings to listing his first company on the New York Stock Exchange at 32, Seymour Holtzman was an authentic original American entrepreneur,” it read. “During his incredible life, he successfully grew, acquired and turned around more than a dozen businesses in publishing, retail, jewelry manufacturing, banking and a nation-wide men’s clothing chain with 450 stores. As a pioneer in opening markets in Eastern Europe to his service under President Ronald Reagan, he set the standard for living a life based on ethics, character and integrity.”
In addition to his wife, Evie, his sons; Marc (Kristen) Holtzman and Steven (Qi) Holtzman; and his daughter Allison Holtzman; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 29, in Palm Beach, Fla.; followed by a committal service in Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Seymour’s memory may be made to Wilkes University at www.wilkes.edu or to a charity of your choice.
You can read more about his life through the Times-Leader newspaper, Holtzman's website and the CD Peacock website.