Joel Kornblatt passed quietly on January 11th, 2024. Joel was born on November 26, 1934 in Philadelphia, Pa. Joel was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and a veteran of the lighting industry. He was very proud of his high school Overbrook, in West Philadelphia. He began his working years in the Seafood industry; first working at Joel’s Seafood restaurant for his father, Maurice in Philadelphia. He rose to be the youngest department manager (seafood) for Food Fair in Philadelphia. From there he owned the Fishery Restaurant in Atlantic City, which he eventually turned over to his father. His career in lighting began in 1966 for Arro Lite Corporation. After that he became a manufacturer’s representative in Florida until 1975 when he re-entered the lighting industry with V.L. Industries in Hialeah, Florida. It was there that he met his wife of 45 years, Cathleen. He went on to California to work for Sunset Richards Lighting before coming back East; working as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Madison Lighting in New York and then Genesis Lighting in New Jersey. He joined CSL Lighting as Vice President of Marketing and Sales in 1989 where he eventually became their East Coast sales representative.
He joined with his oldest son Jeffrey to form The Legacy Light Group representing CSL as well as Minka Lighting, Classic Lighting, Basic Source Lighting and Contrast Lighting. His youngest son Ryan joined the group after his schooling ended. He finished out his lighting career at the age of 80 with Contrast Lighting as their East Coast Regional Sales Manager. Joel enjoyed flying powered aircraft and tennis in his early years. He was a youth coach, coaching Little Leage Baseball in Howell, NJ, Girls Softball in Toms River, NJ and college age players for the Jersey Shore Baseball League in Monmouth County, NJ. His biggest joy was watching his grandsons Trace and Logan play baseball and football and granddaughter Kylie play softball and volleyball. Joel leaves behind his wife, Cathleen (Toole) and four children: daughter Mindy Kahhan and husband Sheldon Kahhan of Philadelphia PA, son Jeffrey of Freehold, NJ, son Ryan and wife Ashlyn (Baum), daughter Jennifer Mathews and husband Shane all of Indian Land S.C. Also five grandchildren, Grace and Jack Kornblatt and Trace, Logan and Kylie Mathews. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Maurice and Florence (Heissen) Kornblatt.
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