Remembering Jerry Kreinik

Jerry M Kreinik passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday March 23rd at the age of 96 years.

Jerry was born in 1915 in New York City to the late Isadore and Sarah Kreinik. He graduated from NYU and was a WWII veteran. Jerry studied textiles, chemistry, law, engineering, loved reading, classical music, being informed, and arguing points of interest.

Jerry was a blue sky thinker, an inventor, entrepreneur, lecturer, futurist, loving husband, father, and grandfather, living a full and eventful life. Jerry’s influence was felt by those he met.
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Using his imagination and creative juices and helped along by Estelle, his wife of 66 years, Jerry developed industrial standards of excellence within the needlepoint and cross stitch industry throughout the world. His moniker became a synonym for excellence.

During his unique life, he worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yards developing textiles used for submariners and polar explorers, advanced the science of zippers, fasteners and buttons working on the creative team developing the “D” ring used by millions today, and established sizing for woman’s clothing. He taught the first class in plastics in the 1950’s at Brooklyn College in NY, designed dustless charcoal used by millions today. Along with this, he advanced the innovation of foam plastics, structural plastics and laminates.

In 1971, after being released by Borg Warner, during the great firing, he and his wife Estelle began their trek into the hand-needlecraft industry during its infancy. Working with nothing but their knowledge of textiles, plastics, art, furniture, and materials, they developed a reputation for originality and superb products. Using materials that had never been contemplated, they developed lines of soft, usable craft yarn products in silks and metallics that felt good to the touch. With their little business, they were able to travel the world, see the beauty of this small planet, and influence the industry. Their business grew. They were recognized by The National Needlework Association for Excellence in the Industry in 1994. In 2012, Kreinik Mfg. Co, Inc., a Parkersburg business, will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Literally millions of people around the globe have and continue to enjoy the results of Jerry’s efforts in creating the materials used in needlecrafts and other textile arts and fashion.

His family enjoyed his love of nature and learned how to recognize birds and trees, stars and cars; learned how to patiently use a variety of hand tools to create beautiful objects in wood, metal, and clay. He contributed his time and funds to a number of community groups including Temple B’nai Israel, the Friends of the Parkersburg Public Library, and Parkersburg Art Center.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Estelle, his sister Audrey and brother-in-law Toby Yospin (Boston), son Ted and Arlene Kreinik (NewTown, CT), son Doug and Myla Kreinik (Parkersburg), son Andrew and Jacqueline Kreinik (Baltimore, MD) along with four grandchildren Juliana (Brooklyn, NY), Danielle (Los Angeles CA), Charles (Baltimore, MD) and Zachary (Washington, D.C.)

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley, and brother in law Ted Gaynor.

Services will be at Vaughn’s Funeral home on Sunday March 27 at 2:00 P.M. There will be visitation an hour before the service. Internment will be at Mt. Olivet. Jerry loved education and libraries, if you would like to make a donation in his honor, please consider the following: Temple B’nai Israel Parkersburg, the Parkersburg Community Foundation, The Parkersburg Public Library, Parkersburg Art Center, and Amedisys Hospice Services of Parkersburg.