by Norman Rosenblatt, former chairman of Therapedic International, died peacefully last Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the age of 86. He had served as the chairman of Therapedic for over 20 years.
Known fondly as Norm, he was born on Jan. 13, 1937, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Eliot and Doris (Miller) Rosenblatt of Revere, Massachusetts, and a year later he became a proud older brother to the late Arthur S. Rosenblatt of Litchfield, Connecticut.
He graduated from Revere High School in 1947 where he was senior class president and football captain, an honor he held very high as the only Jewish player on the entire team. He also enjoyed working for his parents’ produce stand in Swampscott, where his entrepreneurial drive was born. After graduating high school, Norm matriculated to Colby College on a full football scholarship, then completed his studies at Boston University where was awarded a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Norm then harnessed all his experience and success into a lifelong sales career for the likes of Lever Brothers, Bristol Myers, Pezro Sales and Serta. In 1975, with the creation of his company Restmore Sleep Products, Therapedic Mattress of New England began. From Lowell to Dracut to Brockton, Norm’s focus grew the TAP brand.
In 1985, he solely brought the mattress brand to one of the nation’s top wholesale clubs as a “founding” vendor. Strategic efforts and successful brand strategies would elect Norm to chairman of the board for Therapedic International for 20-plus years. He was instrumental in growing the brand globally.
He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara A. (Rosato) Rosenblatt, his three children — Mitchell J Rosenblatt, Andrew “Fuzz” Rosenblatt and Susan J ( Rosenblatt) Potas — and his seven grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chapman Funeral Home, 584 W. Falmouth Highway (Rt. 28A) in West Falmouth, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, his family asks to please consider making a donation to the Yawkey Cancer Center at Mass General Hospital.
The family has requested privacy at this time and in the coming days. “Until then, we ask that you send prayers and spiritual support to the Rosenblatt family,” says Gerry Borreggine, Therapedic’s president and CEO.
