Louis E. Wolfson

WOLFSON Financier, philanthropist, and sportsman, Louis E. Wolfson, passed away on December 30, 2007, at home one month before his 96th birthday. Wolfson was the son of Eastern European Immigrants, Morris D. and Sarah Goldberg Wolfson, who after living for brief periods in Baltimore, MD and St. Louis, MO, settled in Jacksonville, FL. It was there that the Wolfson name would become synonymous with humanitarianism and major philanthropies in areas as diverse as healthcare, poverty, civil rights, education, and athletics. Numerous structures in Jacksonville today are living testaments to the charitable work of Lou Wolfson and his family. Wolfson attended the University of Georgia on a football scholarship but his promising athletic career and desire to play football were cut short by a shoulder injury. He went to work at his father's scrap metal yard in Jacksonville and helped build a successful family business that carved a niche for himself as a true visionary in the history of American business. From the modest Florida Pipe and Supply, Wolfson acquired shipyards in Jacksonville and Tampa, successfully took over the D.C. Transit System in the Nation's capital, battled for control of mail order giant, Montgomery Ward, and eventually became the head of the country's first corporate conglomerate, Merritt Chapman and Scott, the construction giant responsible for building bridges, tunnels, ships, and dams throughout the world. In a 1955 New York Times article entitled "Today's Giants in Finance," Wolfson was listed along with such legendary business figures as H.L. Hunt and Howard Hughes. In addition to being the family patriarch, Wolfson's counsel was sought by corporate leaders, political figures and famous celebrities. He was very supportive of George Romney's entry into the compact car production vis a vis American Motors manufacture of the first compact car in the U.S. He was a consultant to Universal Marion Corporation, which through its subsidiary, Marion Power Shovel, manufactured the still- utilized NASA crawler shuttle transporter. And, in 1968 Universal Marion Corporation co-financed the production of Mel Brooks' Oscar- winning first motion picture, "The Producers", later to become the most success full play in Broadway history. During the late 1960's , Wolfson fought constant battles with the federal government when he was convicted of selling unregistered securities in what was the first criminal prosecution of its kind at that time. Wolfson maintained his innocence over the years; claimed to be the victim of selective prosecution; and tried unsuccessfully through the courts to overturn his conviction. After serving 10 months in a minimum security facility, Wolfson became an outspoken critic of the American penal system and an ardent proponent of meaningful reforms. During this period, Wolfson also returned to a lifelong passion, thoroughbred racing and breeding. Wolfson's Harbor View Farm, established in 1959, was among the country's leading racing and breeding operations throughout the 1960's. But it was during the 1970's that Wolfson and his homebred champion, AFFIRMED, reached the pinnacle of the sport by capturing the coveted Triple Crown in 1978. Affirmed was twice voted Horse of the Year (1978, 1979) and went on to become a successful sire of champions, the most notable of which was twice champion turf mare, Flawlessly. Affirmed's Triple Crown feat has not been replicated for the past 29 years. Wolfson is predeceased by his wife of 32 years, Florence Monsky Wolfson. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patrice Jacobs Wolfson, the daughter of the legendary horseman, Hirsch Jacobs; daughter; Marcia; sons Steve, Gary, and Marty; grandchildren Risa, Stephen, Fara, Jill, Alan, Caeli, Gregory, Jonathan and Justin; great-grandchildren Alexa, Libi, Pablo, Silvio and Ronit; and brothers, Cecil, Saul and Nathan. Family members and close friends say that Lois E. Wolfson never lost sight of his modest roots and was motivated by a desire to give back something meaningful to the country that provided opportunity for him and his parents. He will best be remembered by those who knew him for his brilliant mind, business acumen, extraordinary work ethic, great compassion, major philanthropies, and unparalleled humanitarianism. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2008 at Congregation Ahaveth Chesed (The Temple), 8727 San Jose Boulevard, with Rabbi Michael Matuson officiating and interment following in Temple Cemetery (in Evergreen Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Baptist Wolfson's Children's Hospital, 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32207; or the Louis E. and Patricia J. Wolfson Foundation, P.O. Box 4, Jacksonville, FL 32201. Arrangements are by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com