Charlie Schmall and his wife, Helen.
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NEW YORK—Services were held on Long Island on April 17 for Charles Schmall, 86, who passed away late last week after a brief illness. Schmall, a long-time eyewear executive, was a well-known personality in the business, particularly during the expansion of the designer eyewear business in the U.S. He was a mentor, influential exec and friend to many in the industry.

Schmall, who was born in Brooklyn in 1929 to Polish immigrants, grew up in Bensonhurst, and, according to his daughter, was a ‘go getter’ who worked in a range of jobs as a young man. He served in the Army and started his long career in the optical industry as an employee of Ashland Optical, a laboratory based in Long Island City, which he later came to own and was president of the company. He then became a distributor of Optique du Monde through North American Eyewear and started to take an active role during the early years of licensing in the industry, with such designers as Diane Von Furstenberg and Ralph Lauren. He eventually became president of Optique du Monde, and he became known for creating elegant, brand-enhancing events at different venues throughout New York. When the company was sold to Safilo Group, Schmall became president of that division.

Many in the industry fondly remember Schmall as a leader and involved mentor.

Designer Diane Von Furstenberg told VMail, “Charlie was a true lover of life and everyone who met him loved him! He is gone but his impact on planet earth will long stay behind.”

Former ODM and Safilo USA CFO John Judge, knew Schmall for 40 years in many capacities. ”He had an acerbic wit, always there with one liners to simply break the ice with people he was meeting for the first time or to make a point in difficult negotiations. He believed there was always a deal to be made knowing and practicing the art of the deal before the book was written.”

Claudio Gottardi, a fomer Safilo exec (and now president and CEO of Marchon Eyewear), noted, “Charlie was a highly influential part of my career. When I first came to America in 1990 I spoke very little English and had no understanding of the business environment of this country. While he took me under his wing and helped navigate the American business world, he could never understand my accent! I will miss him dearly.”

Nancy Amato, who with the late Robert A. Amato, former president of Jobson, were great friends of Schmall, said, “We were fortunate enough to know Charlie not only as an industry leader but also as a close personal friend of Bob and me for over 35 years. Charlie's energy, spirit and strength was ever present in all he did. We spent much time with Charlie and his late wife Helen at numerous industry events and personal dinners. He was a big presence in many lives.”

In recent years, after Schmall had retired from Safilo, he took on a consulting role with New York Eye. Recalls Arthur Jankolovits, president of the company, “When Charlie retired, he wanted to spend more time at home with his cherished wife, Helen. He’d been playing a lot of golf but came to me with a ‘serious’ problem; he said he needed a job, to get out a bit. Knowing Charlie for over 35 years, I said ‘yes’ very fast. He spent the past 19 years as a counselor, marketing developer, wonderful friend and all around maven. He’s much responsible for the growth of New York Eye and especially our entry into licensed eyewear brands. His presence was the best thing that ever happened to this company. He respected intelligence and originality. He loved passion and he loved animals; he and Helen were very involved in animal rights causes, among other things.”

New York Eye’s Shannon Johnson said, “Most of us were not only business associates of Charlie, but friends as well. He had an astounding network of people who loved him dearly. He had an incredible eye for styling and up until his last day in the office, he was thinking of new innovative ways to present and market product. He was one of the quickest minds I’ve ever met and had a wonderful sense of humor. He didn’t pull any punches and always told it the way it was. I’m very proud to have known this man for the past 30 years.”

Said Mondottica Group’s founder Michael Jardine, “My best memories of Charlie would be possibly unprintable. But he was gruff on the outside and a big softie inside. He asked for favors and gave favors, too. He was sincerely happy when others did well. Charlie was one of my mentors for more than 35 years. I’m grateful to have known him.”

Schmall is survived by his daughters from a previous marriage: Barbra Cohen, her husband Moshe, and their children Rebecca and Michele; Lori Schmall and partner, Jennifer, and Stefani Rosner, her husband, Steve, and their daughters, Melissa and Amy. Schmall’s wife, Helen, predeceased him a year ago.

Schmall was actively involved with the board of North Shore/Long Island Jewish Hospital (now Northwell) as well as several animal welfare organizations. For those who would like to make a donation in Schmall's memory, go to the Northwell Health Foundation.