Ronald Remer, a former industry multi-line representative, passed away on Oct. 8. He was 74.

Born in Manhattan to the late Sidney and Mae (Horvitz) Remer, he spent many years in Connecticut, first in New Haven and then in Hamden. Until his retirement, he was a multi-line representative at Big East Sales Team, the company he owned that covered the Northeast region of the U.S.

Ronald Remer, Big East Sales Team

“His love of people made him a natural salesman,” says his family, “and the pens and other imprinted items he loved to give away opened the door to all kinds of new friends and experiences over the years.”

When not selling promotional products, Remer loved spending time with loved ones, playing bocce and enjoying music, the outdoors, food and travel: Trips over the years included Ireland, Hawaii, the Caribbean, road trips in the U.S. and Europe, and Mediterranean cruises with Geraldine (Gerry) McCann Remer, his wife of nearly 50 years.

As he moved into retirement, he began pursuing other interests – he worked part-time at the Yale Center for British Art and volunteered with the Spring Glen Civic Association and Hamden Community Emergency Response Team.

In addition to his wife, Remer is survived by sons David (Carla) of Wallingford and Matthew (Casey) of Penfield, NY; grandchildren Sydney, Arlo, Nathan, Matilda and Sylvie; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Leah (Lynne) Allen Shwartz.

Dan Pigott, co-founder of Soapbox Marketing Communication, worked alongside Remer for more than 10 years at the Big East Sales Team, from 2003 to 2014. They had met in 1990 as Northeast multi-line reps and eventually became business partners.

“Ron cared about people deeply,” says Pigott. “He was certainly interested in success, but he was just as concerned with always doing the right thing. That endeared him to his customers and the industry as a whole. He was soft-spoken, thoughtful, honest, reliable, empathetic and good-humored, which made him a great conversationalist. He loved the promotional products industry and the people in it. My heart goes out to Gerry and his entire family.”

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 13, at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT. A service will begin at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial in Centerville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gaylord Specialty Hospital in Wallingford or Connecticut Hospice in Branford – both institutions supported Remer and his family during his last illness.