News

Russ Ward (1924-2025), an innovator in the field of party goods and stationery, has died.

Based on his wife’s retail store, the first non-Hallmark store in Fairfield County, Connecticut, he founded the trade magazine Party and Paper Retailer in 1986. The magazine cultivated this industry for close to two decades until purchased by Great American Publishing — now Great American Media Services, publishing company of Stationery Trends — in 2004.

Everyone knew cards and stationery — but no one realized party goods was its own industry. Party and Paper Retailer built it, alongside loyal readers and advertisers. It was his baby.

Ward was an extremely successful salesperson, talented writer, loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. More than anything, he adored his wife of 74 years, Lyla.

He will be greatly missed by his family and remembered by everyone who knew him.