Longtime Seattle retailer and E. Masin Furniture Co. president Benjamin Masin, 93, died on June 4.
Born in Riga, Latvia, Masin immigrated with his family to Seattle when he was 10 months old. He served in the Navy and Marine Corps in the Pacific theater during World War II before joining the family business in 1945.
His father, Eman Masin, transformed the family dry goods and salvage store to E. Masin Furniture Co. in 1946. Ben Masin later succeeded his father as president and continued to work some part of every day until he was 90. Today, the retailer is known as Masins Fine Furnishings & Interior Design.
Masin was an instrumental member of the Pioneer Square Preservation Board, the Landmark Preservation Board, and the Pioneer Square Assn. Due to the efforts of these groups, the area was designated a historic district, helping transform Pioneer Square into the vibrant Seattle neighborhood it is today.
Among his survivors are son, Bob Masin, and grandson David Masin, who continue to operate Masins.
