Banice Bazar, 90

 PROVIDENCE, R.I.– Banice Carl Bazar passed away Sept. 20.  He was the husband of his late beloved wife Beverly Bazar; they were married for 66 years.  He was born in Providence, the son of the late Samuel and Jenny (Bloom) Bazar. He was the brother of Meyer Bazar, Martin Bazar, Paul (Peppy) Bazar, Ira Bazar and Dorothy (Dottie) Gordon, all of blessed memory.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Peter and Charlotte Bazar, David and Susan Bazar, Karen and Alan Bergel and Ann Bazar; grandchildren Kerri Brennan, Todd Bazar, Samuel Bazar, Joshua Bazar, Adam Finkelman, Alex Finkelman, Corey Finkelman, Matthew Silva, Meredith Sondler-Bazar, Caroline Aparo, and Alexandra Bazar; and great-grandchildren Erin, Dayna, Cecilia, Jameson, Donovan, Brayden, Oliver, Andre, Rebecca, Emma, Emilia, Beatrice, Ariella, Max and Alexander.  He was the father of the late Joseph Bazar and grandfather of the late Dayna Bazar.

Banice entered the ROTC program and graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in chemistry.  He was a lieutenant in the Army commanding a unit in the 388th Chemical Smoke Generator Company in Korea.  His unit was responsible for laying down the smoke screen to protect the infantry. During an operation, the wind changed direction and several soldiers were trapped on the wrong side of the smoke screen.  Banice drove a jeep across the line to lead them back to safety.  He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic action.

When he returned to the United States, he started a business selling to the Military Post-Exchanges. He began by selling out of the trunk of his car to Navy ships afloat.  A representative of Bulova watch asked him if he was able to sell nationwide. “Of course” was his reply, and he was soon representing hundreds of companies ranging from Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer and Westinghouse to Calvin Klein Jeans, Munsingwear shirts to a number of jewelry companies.  He opened offices in East Providence, Norfolk, San Diego, Dallas, Jacksonville, Honolulu, Anchorage and Rota Spain.  He opened distribution companies in Alaska and Hawaii.

He then shifted his attention from these businesses to jewelry companies.  He opened Sentiment Jewelry and then acquired Deltah Pearl Company, Giovanni Jewelry Company and Imperial Pearl Syndicate.  He combined these companies under the umbrella of the Bazar Group.

However, this was not enough because he was married to Beverly.   They were both firmly focused on family.  Everything they did was centered on family and this led to their next venture.  They decided that the family should learn to ski together in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire.  In 1973, after a snow drought and an oil shortage an Inn in Waterville Valley went up for SBA auction.  While Banice was in Europe on business, Beverly went to watch the auction.  When Beverly picked Banice up at Logan Airport, he asked her who bought the Inn.  She replied, “You did!”

He was the gregarious host in the lounge at the Inn.  Late nights at the Inn did not stop him from being the first one on the ski slopes and the last to leave.  He loved waking up his children and then grandchildren early, making them scrambled eggs and then racing them to the mountain.

Banice loved all sports and was an avid supporter of the University of Rhode Island.  He began going to games in 1947 and was a season ticket holder for the men’s basketball games at Rodman Hall then Keaney Gymnasium and finally the Ryan Center.

Banice was a founding member of Crestwood Country Club, joining when there was just a barn.  He was a member of the Providence Jewelers Club, the Plumb Club and the 24 Karat Club.  He was also a member of the Aurora Civic Association where he truly loved everyone.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the University of Rhode Island Foundation to support the men’s basketball team, 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881.