TERRY FEIT
Successful Salesman and Textile Executive
Photo courtesy of Terry Feit
WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?
I grew up in the Flatbush Avenue section of
Brooklyn, just two blocks from Prospect Park,
which became my play world. I attended P.S.
92, Walt Whitman Junior High School and
Erasmus Hall High School. Pace University
was the next stop, where I majored in Business.
For recreation, I learned to fence and became
captain of the Pace Fencing Team. Located in
lower Manhattan, Pace enabled me to explore
much of Manhattan and what it had to offer. I
joined the National Guard and spent 6 months
on active duty and 6 years in the Reserve.
HOW DID YOU EARN A LIVING?
After graduation, I entered the textile
field. Cohn Hall Marx was a large company
which offered a great training program I took
advantage of. They sold fabrics to women’s
sportswear and dress manufacturers. My boss
singled me out for an unusual assignment. He
asked me to develop a new business, selling to
the women’s intimate apparel area, robes and
nightwear. I was disappointed, because this was
a kind of sideline and not our regular market.
Actually, it turned out to be a great opportunity
for me. Within a couple of years, I had my own
small division. I merchandised and sold all the
leading manufacturers of women’s robes and
sleepwear. In the late ’70’s I changed direction
and began selling in the women’s sportswear
field for Concord Fabrics. I became the sales
manager for New York directing 16 salesmen
and producing more than $26 million in sales.
In the forty years I was in the textile business
it changed radically. At first, all the fabrics and
garments were made here in America. During
the 1980s, more and more of the business went
offshore. Today, almost nothing is made in
the USA.
The last 12 years of my career, I went into the
women’s trim business. We connected with a
trim company in London. At first, I sold their
designs but soon I sold designs we developed
and sold to some of the largest producers of
women’s clothing.
Terry and Susan at the New York Botanical Garden
DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY?
The best decision of my life was marrying
Marilyn. We met when she was 17 and I was
20. Three years later, we married. We were so
young, it was like playing house. Four years
later, we had our first son, Brian. Andrew was
born four years after that. Today, Brian is in
the financial field, making investments in green
businesses. Andrew is in sports marketing,
mostly working in Nascar Racing. Both boys
are married to really special women: Dorothy,
a pre-school teacher, and Brooke, an attorney.
I have three beautiful granddaughters, Juliana
(16) is the oldest and lives in Manhasset. I get
to see her often and we go out together. We
have a special relationship. Milana, my 4-yearold,
is great. She calls me Pop Terry. When I see
her in Charlotte, N.C., we have a great time. It’s
hard keeping up with her. Watching her sister,
Vienna, a 9-month-old, grow is really exciting.
WHERE DID YOU LIVE
BEFORE COMING TO NST?
Marilyn and I looked for a house all over
the metropolitan area. Long Island and South
Bellmore became our place of choice. The
house we built there in 1969 was our home
for 43 wonderful years. Gardening became
my hobby and I built three separate gardens
around the house. My friends, also new suburbanites,
called upon me to help them with their
gardens. Sadly, Marilyn and I were married for
close to 50 years when she passed. About a
year later, Susan came into my life. We share
many of the same interests: New York theater,
the Philharmonic, and fine dining. We’ve been
a couple for 5 years.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THINGS
YOU’VE DONE AT NST?
Joining the newly formed NST Men’s’ Club
has been fabulous. It has enabled me to make
friends with many men and also go out socially
as couples with them. I enjoy serving on the
Events Committee, where we look for new
places to explore and new places to dine.
The Camera Club has been terrific. I’ve
learned so much about photography from
fellow members. Having some of my photos
displayed in the Arcade is fulfilling.
I ran for the Board in 2018 feeling I could
make a difference in how we approach different
situations. I came close to being elected. Some
of the changes I would like to see include:
• Stated requirements for Board members like
minimum three years fulltime residency and
service on at least one committee.
• More ‘town meetings’ so residents are aware
of Board matters and can express their views
before final decisions are made.
• Developing a marketing plan which will
attract new, active residents. Pickle Ball
and Bocce courts are two popular sports
we should offer.
When talking to my friends, I describe NST
as hotel-living. There is almost nothing you
can’t do here. Sports, clubs, entertainment,
shopping and dining are just footsteps away
for your enjoyment. I’m so glad I chose such
a wonderful place in which to live.
Terry Feit can best be described as a
“happy camper” at North Shore Towers.
After nearly 50 years of marriage, as a new
widower, and recently retired from a long
career in the textile industry, he moved here.
He was quick to join many of the clubs and
soon became an active participant in the
amenities offered. He didn’t hesitate to share
some of his ideas with the Board of Directors
and several were implemented.
4 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ March 2019