Ron Sugarman

1932-2026

Ronald Howard Sugarman, a beloved father, grandfather, and husband; businessman, veteran, and supremely loyal friend, died peacefully on October 11, 2026, at home in Manhattan with a view of his native Brooklyn at the distinguished age of 93.

Born December 5, 1932, the only son of Max and Ida with two older sisters, the late Beverly and Muriel, he formed a close circle of friends with whom he remained close for the rest of his life. He graduated from James Madison High School and went on to Columbia University, graduating in 1954. Service as an Air Force lieutenant, stationed in Japan, followed.

Ron began his long advertising career at Revlon in New York before joining McCann-Erickson, where he was chosen to work on their most prestigious account: the Coca-Cola Company. Among his achievements was a leadership role in introducing the "Coke Is It!" campaign positioning Coca-Cola as the ultimate soft drink. He also played an important part in the career development of young executives, promoting them to positions across the globe.

The advertising business took him around the world, from London and Tokyo to Atlanta and back to New York. After his years in Atlanta, where he helped to raise his two children, Ron moved to Tokyo for a second time -- falling in love with the woman who would become his wife, Hisako. Together they moved back to New York, where he enjoyed hosting his family and being near his close friends once more. In all, he spent 43 years with the Interpublic Group of Companies, waiting until he was well into his 70s to retire because he continued to have success and loved the business so much.

Ron was a keen and engaged intellectual, judicious and open-minded. He was intensely proud of his family and a living legacy of immigrant roots with wise words and advice developed from experience. Above all, Ron was patient, kind, honest, and fair.

Ron loved to sing, reveling in teaching his children his camp songs, wartime classics, and old standards. He was witty with a great sense of humor and loved sharing funny stories of his childhood. He was a man of great principle who practiced charity, appreciated what was earned, and valued honesty, empathy, compassion, hard work, and loyalty.

His loss leaves a great void and he will be forever loved. He is survived by his wife, Hisako; daughter Melissa and son David; son-in-law Wayne Gray and daughter-in-law Svetlana Zykova; and grandchildren Maxcim, Ronan, Emilia, and Dariya.