Bernard Zolot

ZOLOT Bernard "Bernie" April 9, 2022 of Narberth, PA. Born in 1927 and raised in a musical family, took to percussion instruments and was a talented drummer and bongo player. After graduating from West Philadelphia High School, he enrolled at Penn State and interrupted college to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His ship, the U.S.S. Whittier, supplied cargo and munitions to ports in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. After the War, he joined the Bilt-Well Furniture Company, a family business begun by his father Charles. He and his brother Mickey developed the business into two companies, adding Tri-Mark Designs. At Tri-Mark, Bernie was a visionary who embraced the modernist furniture movement of the time. His innovative styles in metal, glass and upholstery are now recognized as classics of the "Mid-Century Modern" design period. In the 1970's, a friend and fellow businessman showed him a sample of "Ultrasuede" fabric, a synthetic suede struggling to find relevance in clothing manufacturing. Bernie foresaw Ultrasuede's greater appeal as an upholstery fabric so he developed a line of furniture styles to showcase it. The line's immediate success inspired Bernie to pioneer the distribution of Ultrasuede, now ubiquitous, to the greater U.S. Home Furnishings industry. In his leisure time, Bernie was an accomplished golfer and was a student of the game. He was a natural golf teacher who offered informal tips and lessons that were valued and enjoyed among his many playing partners. Bernie is survived by loving and devoted family members, Joan (Levy), his wife of 65 years, sons Craig (Ann), George (Rafi) and Roy, grandsons Michael, Dan and Brian, and an extended family of relatives and friends. Bernie maintained lifetime friendships with childhood buddies from West Philadelphia, many of whom he survived and deeply missed. Bernie requested that there not be a memorial service but rather a small gathering of family and friends at a later time. Please direct contributions to a charity of the donor's choice. www.levinefuneral.com