In a statement released today, Conair Corporation announced the passing of Leandro P. Rizzuto, its co-founder and Chairman of the Board. According to the statement, Rizzuto passed on Sunday, December 3rd after a long and difficult bout with pancreatic cancer.
Rizzuto founded Conair with his parents in 1959. Over the last 58 years, he and his family grew the small hair appliance and haircare company into a multinational corporation. Today Conair is marketed in over 125 countries.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our leader," says Ronald T. Diamond, President of Conair Corporation. "Mr. Rizzuto was a man who loved life and people, and he deeply loved our company." Diamond says the company will honor Rizzuto by continuing to develop innovative new products that use emerging technology to improve the everyday lives and businesses of Conair's consumer and professional customers all over the world. "It is what Lee would want us to do," says Diamond.
It is expected that Rizzuto's funeral services will be private, though memorial masses will be held for Conair's thousands of worldwide employees to honor the late founder.