John Milton Tassie ’39

John died Nov. 25, 2002, at the Medical Center at Princeton, following a brief illness. He lived most of his adult life in Princeton, having joined the nearby Lenox Corp. in 1942, when Lenox was producing wartime commodities for the military. He became general manager of the company in 1943, executive vice president in 1948, president in 1959, and was elected chairman and chief executive officer in 1974, a position he held until he retired in 1977.

His leadership was marked by marketing innovations that transformed Lenox from a small, family-owned craft operation into a leader of the American fine china industry. He served as founding president of the American Fine China Guild, was a former director of the National Assn. of Manufacturers, and held various corporate directorships. In spite of the demands of his successful career, he made sure to find time for golf, big game fishing, and thoroughbred racing.

Predeceased by one son, John is survived by his wife, Ellen, seven children from a previous marriage, 17 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. With them, we give thanks for the spirited and energetic life he shared with us all.

The Class of 1939