Jerry Zucker

A native of Tel-Aviv, Israel, Zucker and his family came to the United States in 1952. Growing up in Charleston and Jacksonville, Fla., Zucker had a mind for science and numbers that he parlayed into a low-key business empire with operations all over the globe. A longtime resident of West Ashley, he was founder, chairman and chief executive officer of The InterTech Group Inc., a global conglomerate that is ranked as one of the country's largest privately held businesses. The North Charleston holding company owns textile, chemical, manufacturing firms and has estimated annual sales of $3 billion. Zucker also was CEO of Toronto-based Hudson's Bay Co., Canada's largest department store chain. Zucker, whose first job was a runner for a television station, was known as much for his keen scientific intellect as his business acumen. He had a triple major in mathematics, chemistry and physics from the University of Florida. He had more than 350 invention disclosures that led to numerous patents, most in the chemical, electronic and mechanical fields. After earning a master's degree in electrical engineering, Zucker worked for Hudson Pulp and Paper in Palatka, Fla. He eventually moved to Connecticut-based Raybestos-Manhattan, an asbestos textiles and elastics company. In 1982, Zucker, then a vice president with Raybestos-Manhattan, and a fellow executive bought the company's North Charleston plant and renamed the company RM Industrial Products. The company later was sold. Zucker started The InterTech Group in 1983, according to state incorporation records. In a statement Saturday, Anita Zucker said she succeeded her husband as chairperson of the board and CEO effective immediately. Son Jonathan Zucker was named president. Zucker is survived by his wife, Anita; children Jonathan Zucker, Andrea Muzin and Jeffrey Zucker; and grandchildren Stella Muzin and Jeremy Zucker. He is also survived by his mother, Zipora Zucker; his brother, Jacob Zucker; and his sister, Rochelle Marcus.