David Straus III

STRAUS--David, III, 89, of Maplewood, NJ, died September 3, 2007, of complications from aplastic anemia. Devoted husband of the late Lizbeth (Spero), beloved father of Martha and Robin, sons-inlaw Gregg Kuracina and Joseph Kanon; proud grandfather of David and Michael Kanon and Tess Kuracina. Treasured friend and mentor. An advertising executive who won numerous awards including a first place CLIO. Born in Newark, NJ, graduate of Indiana. University in 1939, he began his career at Kresges. An Army Air Corps pilot during WWII, he returned to advertising and in 1952, formed the Ovesey and Straus Agency in NY (later merged with the Zlowe Co. and Marstellar). From 1975-1986, he was a principal in the Schoenfeld/Straus Agency, later joined David H. Block Advertising. He supervised a diversified portfolio of accounts including Mennen, Dannon, Sealy, Goodmans Foods, and National Distillers. He continued as a consultant to R&R Marketing until age 88. A former trustee of the Beth Israel Medical Center and board member at Temple B'nai Jeshurun. A decent, honorable, charitable, loving, sturdy little guy with a big heart and big humor and a hugely optimistic spirit despite many physical setbacks. Kept alive by the gift of blood donors, the family requests that you remember David by giving blood or contributing to the Lizbeth and David Straus Caring Hands Award at St. Barnabas Medical Center, 94 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039.