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ROSKIN -- Jules Jay Roskin, 95, businessman, art collector and interior designer died Tuesday, March 9, 2004 after a period of declining health due to age. A resident of Albuquerque since 1990, Mr. Roskin had a career as the owner of I. Gerson & Sons Metal Company in Toledo, Ohio and a jewelry manufacturing company in New York City, but his real passion was collecting modern art and designing residential spaces for select clients. In the early 1950s Mr. Roskin was an innovator in interior design incorporating the principles of solar heating in residential design long before sustainable design was seriously considered. The Roskin family house in Toledo, Ohio which he designed in collaboration with architect J. DeWitt Grow, was the recipient of many architectural awards including the 1951 American Architects Award as the "best residence" in the State of Ohio. Prior to moving to Albuquerque, Mr. Roskin lived for 15 years in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where he created the Culture Series, a popular lecture program at the Bellas Artes, as well as a hot breakfast program at the local library for indigent children. Previously he resided for 20 years in Westport, Connecticut and for 19 years in Toledo, Ohio, his wife's hometown. Mr. Roskin was born and raised in New York City. He was a graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania and he did graduate work in psychology at Heidelberg University in Germany and at New York University. Mr. Roskin was married to Phyllis Kasle Roskin, his wife of 59 years. Mrs. Roskin, who died in 1995 in Albuquerque, was a distinguished musicologist, pianist and teacher. Mr. Roskin is survived by his sister, Miriam Roskin Berger of Fort Lee, New Jersey; three daughters, Roa Lynn of Arlington, Virginia, Nina Liebman of New York and Lyra Grant of Santa Fe; three granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren.
        Published on: Thu March 11, 2004