Jack Benaroya
Jack A. Benaroya | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 11, 1921 |
| Died | May 11, 2012 (aged 90) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | Founder of the Benaroya Company |
| Spouse | Rebecca Benaroya |
| Children | Donna Benaroya Alan Benaroya Larry Benaroya |
Jack A. Benaroya (July 11, 1921 – May 11, 2012) was a noted philanthropist and prominent civic leader in Seattle, Washington.
Biography
Benaroya was born to Lebanese Jewish immigrants in Montgomery, Alabama[1] but spent his childhood in California before moving to Seattle at the age of 12.[1] Benaroya attended Seattle's Garfield High School.[2] After graduating, he took a job at his family's beer distributorship and then went on to serve with the United States Navy in the Philippines during World War II.[1] Upon his return, he became involved in real estate by building post offices in the region which was experiencing a post-war boom; however, his fortune was earned by building industrial parks, a concept not yet seen in the northwestern United States.[1] In 1956, Benaroya established the Benaroya Company which would become the largest commercial real estate developer in the state of Washington.[1] In 1984, he sold his real estate portfolio for $315 million shifting the focus of the company to venture capital.[1]
Benaroya was an early investor in Starbucks.[1]
Philanthropy
Benaroya was a former director of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce; the United Way of King County; Temple de Hirsch Sinai; Congregation Ezra Bessaroth; the Stroum Jewish Community Center; and the Pilchuck Glass School.[1] He was a supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International; the University of Washington Medical Center; Children's Hospital and Medical Center; Lakeside School; and the Jewish Federation and Council of Seattle. He funded the Benaroya Hall, facility for the Seattle Symphony which opened in 1998; and the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle which opened in 1999.[1]
Personal life and death
Benaroya was married to his wife Rebecca for over seventy years. They had three children: Donna Benaroya, Alan Benaroya, and Larry Benaroya.[1] In the years before his death, Benaroya was slowed by Parkinson's disease.[3] He died on May 11, 2012.[1][4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Pryne, Eric (May 12, 2012), "Obituary: Jack Benaroya, 90, was a prolific developer and quiet philanthropist", Seattle Times
- ^ Seattle Times: "School spotlight: Garfield High School" By Marc Matsui May 27, 2003
- ^ Chesley, Frank (May 11, 2012). "Benaroya, Jack Albert (1921-2012)". Essay 7419. HistoryLink.
- ^ JT News: "Jack Benaroya, 1921-2012: A leader who built a community" by Joel Magalnick May 23, 2012
- Forbes, 27 October 1986.
- Seattle KingCounty Realtors: 1st Citizen Award Recipients
- Seattle Times Article, May 11th, 2012: Philanthropist and developer Jack Benaroya has died
External links
- Benaroya Research Institute Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- The Benaroya Companies. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- "MetropoLIST 150:People Who Shaped Seattle". Seattle Times. October 14, 2001. Retrieved 2005-11-12.
- 1921 births
- 2012 deaths
- American Jews
- American people of Lebanese-Jewish descent
- American philanthropists
- American real estate businesspeople
- Garfield High School (Seattle, Washington) alumni
- Deaths from Parkinson's disease
- People from Montgomery, Alabama
- People from Seattle, Washington
- American naval personnel of World War II