Apparel-Industry Accountant Gary M. Fineman, 64
Gary M. Fineman, one of the Los Angeles garment industry’s leading accountants, died April 8 of brain cancer. He was 64.
As co-managing partner for Fineman West & Company LLP, he worked with top garment companies, including Ron Herman, J Brand, Hudson Jeans, YMI and Mighty Fine. He also made an effort to spread his wisdom outside of his office by giving seminars at the MAGIC trade show in Las Vegas and offering tips on improving business to the garment-industry executives he met.
He also made his mark by serving on the board at City of Hope, the nationally known cancer center based in Duarte, Calif., and he helped attract garment-industry executives to serve, as well. Raising funds for City of Hope was his family’s avocation. His father, Emanuel H. “Mannie” Fineman, was the chairman emeritus of the City of Hope and a garment-industry entrepreneur.
“He was born of the industry,” said Ilse Metchek of the younger Fineman. Metchek is president of the California Fashion Association trade group. “He knew what this industry was all about … He was everything you might want in an accountant.”
Fineman was tireless in delving into the details of any financial issue so his clients could duck problems. “I don’t think he ever lost a client,” Metchek said.
He also was well known as a golfer and a treasurer of the Hillcrest Country Club. “He was a good golfer,” remembered George Rudes, founder of the Not Your Daughters Jeans label and a client of Fineman’s. “He liked smoking his cigar on the green. That’s the way he relaxed.”
Fineman’s work will be spread to the other partners at Fineman West, said Harold West, one of the firm’s partners.
Fineman is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and his daughter, Alexandra. His family requested any donations in his memory be made to the Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Brain Tumor Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Please visit www.cedars-sinai.edu/giving.—Andrew Asch
