NEW YORK--Services were held here
last month for Boris Kliot, 84, founder of Riviera Eyewear. Kliot
was born in Riga, Latvia and survived four concentration camps
before he immigrated to the U.S. where he became a successful
entrepreneur.
He founded Riviera Trading Company
in 1952. Initially, the company sold hair ornaments from France and
then evolved to become one of the first companies to introduce
fashion eyewear to the American public. Riviera was sold in 1996 to
an investment group, when Kliot continued to consult with the
company. Two years ago, it became a division of Florida-based
StyleMark.
Kliot was a devoted philanthropist.
He erected the Kliot Wing for Neurosurgery at the Ichilov General
Hospital in Tel Aviv and was an important contributor to the United
Jewish Appeal. Additionally, he built a memorial in the Rumbula
Forest outside Riga, Latvia to honor the 27,000 Jews who had been
mass-murdered at the site. His parents, Moishe and Roza, and his
four sisters were among those who perished in the
massacres.
Kliot is survived by three sons:
Michel with his mother Myra Sterling, and Gene and Jason with their
mother Jacqueline Kliot, as well as daughter-in-law Joana, and four
grandchildren: Tamara, Josh, Hannah and Anton. He was married to
Josette Poux.
Contributions in his honor may be
made to the UJA Federation of New York at www.ujafedny.org or by
contacting Steve Klein, director of the UJA’s optical
division at (212) 836-1188.