Merton D. Minsky

MINSKY, Merton D. 82, of Brockton, died at home on Sunday, March 20th. He was the president of King Leather Products, a manufacturer of quality American-made footwear components, which he founded in 1950. A native of West Bridgewater, he was valedictorian of his class at Howard High, where he was an all-A student, president of the student council, editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, and a member of the varsity basketball team. He earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1949 from Tufts University, where he was the Tufts correspondent to the Boston Post, played basketball, and was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. Elected president of the New England Shoe Foremen and Superintendents’ Association (NESFSA) in 1977, he worked with Senators Kennedy and Chafee to have tariffs placed on imported footwear. He was joined at King Leather Products in 1986 by his son, Jack, and together they created the “Kingsport” line of vegetable-tanned leather sandals and accessories, sold in upscale resorts, marinas, and department stores. After retiring in 2006 from the footwear industry, he served as chairman of Software MacKiev, an award-winning developer and publisher of consumer and education software founded by his son, Jack. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, a daughter, Barb Minsky Porter, two sons, Jack Minsky and Steven Minsky, and seven granddaughters, Katie, Shira, Rachel, Nikki, Nina, Sarah, and Eve. All are welcome to a memorial reception from 2-6 pm Sun. April 3rd at Software MacKiev’s offices on the waterfront at Union Wharf, 343 Commercial St., Boston. Email: jack@mackiev. com or phone Jack at 617-510-3162 for details or directions.