The floral industry honored the legacies of several leaders who died this year.
Kenneth Royer, AAF
Kenneth Royer, AAF, a lifelong industry innovator, educator, author and 2021 inductee into the Society of American Florists’ Floriculture Hall of Fame, died at 92.
Royer grew Royer’s Flowers & Gifts to 16 locations in Pennsylvania and three in Ohio. He was the first florist in the U.S. to implement computerized systems for multi-shop operations, and one of the first to import flowers from South America.
Read more here.
Doris Wilkins
Doris Wilkins, who co-founded DVFlora, died July 5th, 2024. She was 103.
In 1959, Doris and her husband, Robert Wilkins, founded Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist in a small corner shop in Pitman, New Jersey.
Read more here.
Paul Raimondi Jr.
Paul Raimondi Jr., of Raimondi’s Florist in Owings Mills, Maryland, died Oct. 16 at age 81.
The third-generation owner of one of Maryland’s largest florists was a former member of the Society of American Florists’ Retail Council.
Read more here.
Staci Bryant
Staci Bryant, a second-generation florist in Greenville, South Carolina who was known for her unconditional love and friendliness to all, died Oct. 16 doing what she loved most — helping other people.
Bryant, 51, was fatally struck by a vehicle in a tragic accident on October 16 as she handed out bouquets to passersby during the Society of American Florists’ annual Petal It Forward event.
Read more here.