Rumzi “Randy” Kaoud poses at Kaoud Rugs in Guilford Feb. 11, 2022. Kaoud detailed his life journey in his book, “A Lifelong Love Affair: from Ramallah to New Haven and the Artistry of Persian Rugs.”
Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut MediaFor almost 70 years, the Kaoud name has been synonymous with Oriental rugs in the region, mixing the Kaoud brothers’ passion for Persian rugs and their Palestinian heritage with quality products.
Rumzi “Randy” Kaoud, who at age 20 followed some of his family from Ramallah to New Haven, entered into the rug cleaning business with brothers Fred and Abe, which later became a retail rug store. Randy Kaoud, who co-owns Kaoud Rugs & Carpet’s two locations in Orange and Guilford with his son Jim, died May 6. He was 85.
According to his memoir, “A Lifelong Love Affair: From Ramallah to New Haven and the Artistry of Persian Rugs,” Kaoud long had been fascinated by the artistry and engineering behind the complex designs of Persian rugs.
In his career, Kaoud became closely affiliated with Yale University after being hired to repair, restore and replace rugs in the home of Alfred Whitney Griswold, Yale’s president from 1950 to 1963, he had said. Soon, the Kaoud business began picking up more customers through word of mouth throughout the university community, Kaoud wrote in his memoir.
In Ramallah, he had graduated from an elite private, American Quaker school, although he ultimately decided to join the family business. Kaoud shared in his memoir his pride in doing business in New Haven within the footprint an elite academic institution.
According to his obituary, Kaoud also was a motivated public servant, having served as a police commissioner in Woodbridge, where he lived for 46 years. His entire family was extremely important to him, especially his two grandchildren, it said. He also had a keen interest in golf and was a member of the Racebrook Country Club.
The formal procession will depart Thursday for a 10 a.m. funeral service at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange.
