Chicago Tribune (IL) - October 11, 1999
Deceased Name: BUSINESSMAN EUGENE A. DELSON
Eugene A. Delson, 89, of Glencoe, part of the family team that ran the Joseph Salon Shoes upscale shoe stores, died in his home Wednesday apparently of a heart attack.
Mr. Delson joined Joseph Salon Shoes, a Chicago business that pioneered the French salon concept of selling shoes, in 1951 as its general counsel. He spent almost 30 years with the company, eventually becoming an officer and general manager of all its stores. He was the general manager until his retirement about 20 years ago, said his daughter, Judy Geleerd.
Joseph Salon Shoes was founded in Evanston in 1927 by Z. Albert and Irving Joseph, brothers-in-law of Mr. Delson. It expanded to more than a half dozen stores and 250 employees.
Mr. Delson grew up in Chicago's Austin neighborhood and graduated from Austin High School. He attended DePaul Law School, graduating in 1932.
Mr. Delson moved to Glencoe in the early 1950s and was a member of North Shore Congregation Israel for nearly 50 years. He also was the past treasurer of Isaiah Israel Congregation in Chicago and was a member of the shoe division of the Jewish Federation.
Besides his daughter, Mr. Delson is survived by his companion of six years, Hadassah Baskin; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A service was held Friday.