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Maury Letven, 59, of South Philadelphia, a craftsman and cofounder of an innovative import company, died of a heart attack Sept. 18 while swimming in the ocean on a vacation with his wife in Barnegat Light, N.J. In 1994, the couple established Mariachi Imports to market lead-free Talavera pottery, glass, and other items from Mexico. In the late 1990s, they began selling Sweep Dreams, a line of whimsical brooms they designed using sorghum and bamboo. The brooms and other household items the business sells are made in Thailand and include Mad Mats, colorful rugs that are 95 percent recycled plastic. Mr. Letven's wife, Amy Kimmich, said they were passionate about the environment and fairness in the workplace. "It is essential to us to be part of the solution, not part of the problem," she said.The business allowed them to travel the globe and indulge their passion for exotic cultures, food, and beaches, she said. After graduating from Olney High School in 1967, Mr. Letven studied philosophy at Temple University. He then was a roofer in Beach Haven, N.J., before returning to study woodworking at the Philadelphia College of the Arts, now the University of the Arts. After graduating, he and friends started Heartwood Craftsmen, a cabinet and furniture-making shop in North Philadelphia. He and Kimmich, also a Philadelphia College of the Arts graduate, met at a party and discovered both were fans of "the Godfather of Soul," James Brown. Mr. Letven was known for the parties he threw at the Ruba club in Northern Liberties and for his encyclopedic knowledge of music, including such diverse artist as the Staple Singers, Tom Waits, and Gram Parsons. For years, he played on and often managed South Street-area softball teams. In addition to his wife of 22 years, Mr. Letven is survived by his mother, Florence; a brother, Edward; a sister, Barbara; and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at the University of the Arts' Dorrance Hamilton Hall, Broad and Pine Streets. Memorial donations may be made to the Pennsylvania SPCA, 350 E. Erie Ave., Philadelphia 19134. Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowney@phillynews.com.
Copyright (c) 2009 The Philadelphia Inquirer
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Steve Rubin
I didn't meet Maury 'till I moved to East Oak Lane in '63. We were instant friends, and his parents were always ready to set an extra plate...
Maury was a funny, funny guy, (as in SNL before SNL was born)! He could keep you in stitches with his real world, every day sense of humor. Even though I didn't go to Cook, he made it alive with his memories, and stories of his classmates and adventures.
He was also an accomplished charcoal and/or pencil artist ala Rockwell. His favorite subject was baseball players, and you could actually feel the action in his drawings.He was also a master of WW I arial dogfights.
You left us too early, but you went doing it your way, and enjoying life!
Bob Anderson
Maury was a true comedy classic. We met in Wagner Jr High, and kept each other in stitches through Spanish class, and I'm sure a few others along the way. It's cool that he enjoyed his life in such unique ways, with his business and hobbies, and it sounds like he definitely had quality time while he was here. A good guy!
Jessica Smith (McGowan)
I was in high school with Maury but actually did not become friends with him till freshman year at Temple. He ad a great sense of humor (and he was very willing to target himself - he was never mean spirited). But he had an even greater heart. He would never hesitate to do a favor or say kind words. What a loss!