Sy Syms

Sy Syms (May 12, 1926 – November 17, 2009) was an American businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who founded the SYMS off-price clothing chain in New York City in 1959.

Biography Syms was born Seymour Merinsky on May 12, 1926, in New York City. His family decided to change their surname from "Merinsky" to "Merns" when his father and elder brother George opened a store on Vesey Street in Lower Manhattan. Syms went to Midwood High School in Brooklyn. and Adrienne (died in 1999). His second wife was Lynn Tamarkin, by whom he had two step-children, Funeral services were held at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan.

The foundation has been a major supporter of public broadcasting and National Public Radio (NPR) through the underwriting of various programming.

Marcy Syms was instrumental in developing many of the grant-relationships made possible by her late father's generosity, and is a founding trustee of the foundation, elected to the role of president in 1997. The foundation has its offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey.