(continued)
Andrew Wollensak senior, president of the company since its foundation, died in January 1936, his brother John having died three years earlier. John left five children, of whom Andrew A. and Frank J. remained active in the business for many years, and I knew them both. In 1913 the company moved to 1415 Clinton Avenue North at Norton Street, and in 1924 to 872 Hudson Avenue. In 1938 a larger and more desirable building a few yards to the south, at 850 Hudson Avenue, fell vacant (it had been a clothing factory), and Wollensak moved into it. Unfortunately, during the past 15 years, after several changes of ownership, including Revere and 3M, the company gradually went downhill and in 1972 finally closed its doors.

Wollensak was one of Rochester's finest companies, and at their height in 1958 they had over 1200 employees. Their lenses, shutters, and other products were considered to be excellent, and during the war they made a wide variety of optical equipment for the armed forces. It is too bad that they could not manage to survive. "For the complete history of Rochester optical companies, please visit this page.

Anson Instrument purchased Wollensak in 1974. Anson ceased operation in 2001 after the death of it’s President, Rudolph Novak. Rudolph’s son, Robert F. Novak (Chairperson of the Engineering Technologies Department at the Brighton Campus of Monroe Community College) completed outstanding orders and phased out the business.