Michael J. Dogum, 83, of Glenolden, who owned and operated a carpet-installation business, died Sunday, March 17, of a stroke at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
After selling fabric door-to-door in Philadelphia in the 1950s, he saved enough to start Dogum Rugs & Carpets in Glenolden in 1960.
He was known as a businessman for whom no job was too small. He extended credit on a handshake to customers unable to pay on time.
He dealt with many generations of the families who were customers, said his son John.
In 1959, Mr. Dogum was introduced by a priest to Laila Philiposian; he wasted little time before proposing in 1960. The two lived in West Philadelphia and then Glenolden during their 53-year marriage.
