Solomon Wolkin, Colgate Mattress Founder, Dies
It is with great sadness that the family of Colgate Mattress Atlanta
Corporation announces the death at 90 years of their founder, their
father, and their grandfather, Solomon Wolkin, on June 23 after a short
illness. Wolkin served in World War II in Europe as an airplane mechanic.
He was recently honored by the Georgia House of Representatives for
his contributions to Georgia as a long-time manufacturer and employer.
Wolkin, with his deceased wife, Anne, founded Colgate in 1955 with a $1,500 loan from his brother-in-law. Today, Colgate still manufactures crib mattresses in Atlanta, Georgia, and continues to embody the spirit and high ethical standards that Wolkin instilled in the company, his children and his employees, some of whom have been with the company for more than 37 years.
Wolkin is survived by his three children, Alan, Richard and Joan, and their spouses. Alan and Richard are presently Colgate president and vice president. Joan is a doctor in New York. Additionally, Wolkin is survived by five grandchildren, Dennis Wolkin, Colgate production manager, Brent Wolkin, colgate credit manager, and granddaughters Lianna, Amy and Amanda.
