Jack Lee Orkin

Orkin, Jack Lee
Jan. 15, 2010

Jack Lee Orkin, a retired attorney, passed away Jan. 15, 2010, from pancreatic cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Ann; daughters Deborah H. Steinfeld (Steven) and Laura B. Orkin (Lonnie); and his five grandchildren, Brett, Rachel, Maxwell, Roman and Grace.
He was born in Port Chester, N.Y. He attended Columbia University, where he received a B.A. from Columbia College, an M.S. in business, and an LL.B. from its school of law. He was admitted to the Bar in New York, Oklahoma and Florida and to the U.S. Supreme Court of Claims and Tax Court. He was among the first group of Florida attorneys to be board certified in estate planning and probate.
After a period of private practice in New York City, Mr. Orkin served as the attorney advisor on the staff of the U.S. Tax Court for two and one half years. He subsequently focused his practice on personal and business tax law. In 1958, he joined the Florida law firm of Blackwell, Walker and Gray, where he rose to senior partner. He also served as the national attorney for developers of Oil of Olay cosmetic products for 10 years.
Mr. Orkin was active on the executive council of the Section of Taxation of the Florida Bar and was a lecturer in its continuing legal education program. He also served as a mentor for graduate students in the University of Miami, Masters in Estate Planning Program. Mr. Orkin was active in community affairs, including legal discussion groups and service on the board of directors of his synagogue.
After retiring to Sarasota, he and his wife became members of The Lifelong Learning Academy, where he served on the board for five and one half years and on the curriculum committee.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Temple Emanu-El, 151 S. McIntosh Road, Sarasota, with interment following at Temple Beth Sholom Cemetery.
The family requests that donations be made to TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care Fund Development, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.