Arnold Anthony “Tony” Schiffman Jr., the president emeritus of Schiffman’s Jewelers in Greensboro, N.C., died on Feb. 9 after a long fight with Parkinson’s disease.

Schiffman joined the family business—it was founded by his grandfather, Simon Schiffman, in 1893—after his graduation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1957. He was named president of the business in 1965 and became sole owner in 1975. 

He expanded Schiffman’s Jewelers from one store to a firm with multiple brands and 11 locations in five states, including two Schiffman’s Jewelers locations in Greensboro and Winston-Salem, N.C.; Sylvan’s Jewelers in Columbia, S.C.; Keller & George Jewelers in Charlottesville, Va.; and Schwarzschild Jewelers in Richmond, Va.

Schiffman stepped back from day-to-day operations in 2007 but continued to work at the company’s headquarters until his death. His sons Arnold A. Schiffman III, Vance Schiffman, and Lane Schiffman now run the business. Lane Schiffman spoke to JCK about the family business in 2014. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina.

JCK