Peter Strom Goldstein of New York City and Truro died on Jan. 8, 2021 in New York. He was 91.
Peter was born in Passaic, N.J. in 1929. After graduating from college and serving in the Army, he spent his entire career in the apparel business, and became vice chairman of Polo Ralph Lauren. He was known as Peter Strom in the business. (Lauren’s given name was Ralph Rueben Lifshitz.) Peter became Lauren’s business partner in 1974, owning 10 percent of Polo. In 1978, he was named president and chief operating officer, and vice chairman in 1991. He retired from the company in 1995.
“We were best friends,” Lauren told Women’s Wear Daily. “Peter Strom was always there for me — as a friend and a business partner for over two decades. He liked to say his role was ‘to do all the things I didn’t want to do,’ but he was right there supporting all those things — ‘the magic,’ he called it, and helped make it happen. During these days when we talk about the importance of decency, integrity, and character, I think of Peter. He had all those qualities, along with a great sense of humor and humility.”
Peter’s daughter, Susan, also spoke of her father’s modesty this week. “If you asked him what he did,” she said, “he would say ‘businessman.’ ”
Peter was instrumental in many philanthropic endeavors, including Seventh on Sale, benefiting the New York City AIDS Fund and the fight to cure breast cancer. Starting in the 1970s, he and his family spent summers in Truro, where he had many dearly loved friends. Peter was an avid fisherman.
He leaves his wife of 69 years, Helen; his son, Tom, and wife Andrea; his daughter, Susan, and partner Jeremy Scott; and four grandchildren, Benjamin, Miriam, Rachel, and Anna. Peter was warm, generous, loyal, humble, and funny. He was devoted to his family, friends, and colleagues, who miss him greatly.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations go to the MSK Ralph Lauren Cancer Foundation.
