Thank you

By Doug Kreinik

Jerry Kreinik: an icon, a master, an innovator, and my dad. He had intuition about products, amazing research abilities, and futuristic talents which he taught to me and my brothers as we grew up. He had a natural curiosity about all things; he would always ask “what if,” always try new things - especially foods - and always ask questions and listen. He encouraged us to be curious, be creative, to seek and to learn. When I chose to go into the family thread business, I learned from him about machinery, fibers, yarns, sales, product testing, inventing, developing - and was infected with his passion.

I will miss my dad. Even though he was 96, we would still talk about new ideas, new concepts and how to make products better. I am proud of what he did and how he affected the industry. Who would have thought that a simple textile chemist when passing would have condolences sent from around the world? I am so proud of this man whose ideas made a real difference.

Thank you all for honoring Jerry and my family with all your wonderful stories, thoughts and prayers. My mom, his wife of 66 years, is so proud that she met and married the right guy. They had a lifelong love affair with textiles, materials and each other.