NEWS

Martin Revson of Pine Plains, dies at 105

John W. Barry
Poughkeepsie Journal

A memorial service will be held June 4 for Martin E. Revson, a part-time Pine Plains resident and co-founder of the Revlon cosmetics empire who died Thursday at the age of 105, according to Peck and Peck Funeral Homes in Pine Plains.

Martin E. Revson

Revson would have turned 106 on June 15.

Revson split his time between Pine Plains and Palm Beach, Florida, according to the funeral home website.

Born in Boston, Revson was raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. As head of worldwide marketing for Revlon, Revson contributed to and supervised advertising campaigns, according to the funeral home.

Revson and his wife, Eugenia, have been strong financial supporters of community groups. Among them was the Millbrook-based Dutchess Land Conservancy, according to the group's president, Becky Thornton. That support, Thornton added, dates back to the group's inception in 1985.

“He was a wonderful person," Thornton said. "He was always on task. He had a good sense of humor. He always had a twinkle in his eye. He was very committed to our organization."

According to a New York Times archive article, Martin Revson left Revlon in 1958. That departure followed a break with his late brother and founder of the company, Charles Revson, who Martin Revson later sued.

Martin Revson later headed Del Laboratories, a Long Island drug, cosmetics and toiletries producer; and his own pharmaceuticals holding concern, the Revson Chemical Company, according to the New York Times.

According to Peck and Peck Funeral Homes, Revson bought Maradel, a company that manufactured pharmaceuticals and beauty aids, and renamed it Del Laboratories. Their products included Hard As Nails by Sally Hansen; Orajel teething solution; and La Crosse beauty implements.

Revson, according to Peck and Peck, played hockey in school. He was also a long-distance swimmer; began playing tennis at 60; skiied until he was 80; and played golf into his 90s.

"He was an optimist," said his friend, Willem de Vogel of Millerton. "He was really very caring."

Revson, according to Peck and Peck, had four children with his first wife, former singer and child stage actress, Julie Phelps Revson.

Their son, Douglas, was killed in 1967 during a Formula 3 automobile race in Denmark. Another son, Peter, was killed in 1974 during a Formula 1 practice session in South Africa.

Revson is survived by his wife; his eldest daughter, Julie Revson; his youngest child, Jennifer Revson; his stepson, Paul Revson; grandsons, a great-grandson and nephews. A "Celebration of Life" in Revson’s honor will be held at 11 a.m. June 4 at his home on Route 83 in Pine Plains.

John W. Barry’s column appears every Friday: jobarry@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4822, Twitter: @JohnBarryPoJo