Eric Caslow, co-chairman of Acme Smoked Fish, died on Tuesday, Feb. 16, the company said in an announcement. He was 75.
Caslow, who once led the company alongside brother Robert, was a part of the third generation of the family-owned business, which was established in 1906 by Caslow's grandfather, Harry Brownstein.
"Eric had the joy of leading the company alongside his brother Robert for decades, and he was deeply proud of Acme, his family and his colleagues," the company wrote.
"He had a larger-than-life presence and loved to walk through the factory early in the morning to examine fish and every detail that impacted its quality."
Caslow was born Jan. 26, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a former history teacher in New York City public schools, and served as a "historian" for the family and the company, whose traditions stretch back several generations.
"Over his many decades in the industry, Eric cultivated a number of wonderful relationships as a fish buyer," the company added.
"He was as well-respected by vendors worldwide for his fairness and integrity as he was committed to seeking out only the highest-quality raw material."
Caslow played a role in developing the industry via the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), and also served on the Advisory Council on Small Business & Agriculture to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“We will always be inspired by Eric’s passion,” Eduardo Carbajosa, president of Acme Smoked Fish said of Caslow. “He did what he loved, and he encouraged so many of us at Acme and throughout the industry.”
Today, Acme is the largest smoked seafood producer in the United States, and continues under the ownership of the Caslow family. Eric’s son, David, and nephew Adam -- the fourth generation of the family in the business -- have been co-CEOs of Acme for several years.
