In May of 1954 tragedy struck.  Sam was on a buying trip riding as the passenger in the company truck when a car in front of them suddenly applied their brakes.  The truck went into a skid, went off the road, hit an embankment and overturned.  The driver came away with minor injuries, but Sam was left paralyzed from the neck down.

On July 13, 7 weeks after the accident Sam Goldstein, founder of Manhattan Hide and Wool succumbed to his injuries.

The future of Manhattan Hide and Wool was not solely on the shoulders of his 37 year old son Jack.