Gary Antonoff

Gary L. Antonoff, real estate developer and community activist, died on Wednesday. He was 81. Antonoff founded Antonoff and Company in 1967. Over the years, he owned properties near the Cherry Creek shopping center, Adams and Arapahoe counties, downtown Denver, and in states nationwide. He was best known for the development of neighborhood shopping centers and manufactured housing communities. In the civic arena, he was chairman of the committee that successfully raised the funds to support the City of Denver's effort to annex land for Denver International Airport. Antonoff also served on the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee for DIA. He was co-chair of the finance committee that raised the funds required to pass a sales tax to fund Coors Field. He also served on the Colorado Baseball Commission and was recently honored with other commission members in celebrating 25 years of the Rockies being in Denver. He was instrumental in bringing NBA basketball to Denver. In the late 1970's, he was Chair of the Board of the Denver Nuggets, leading a group of business people who purchased the team and establishing local ownership. His charitable activities include serving as Campaign Chairman, Board member, and President of Jewish Colorado; on the board of Rose Medical Center; National Jewish Hospital; the Jewish Community Center and the Anti Defamation League. Antonoff was also on the Denver Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Sports Commission. He has been active in University of Colorado activities. He was a member of the President's Business Council, a member of the board of advisors of the Leeds School of Business, treasurer of the University Improvement Corporation, and member of the real estate council. Within the last few years, he and his wife established the Donna T. and Gary L. Antonoff Scholarship Fund for students in the CU Leeds College of Business. The funds are earmarked for the students interested in studying business ethics. Antonoff graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1958. He leaves a trail of love that includes his wife Donna Torrey Antonoff, a son, Douglas Antonoff, and daughter Wendy (David) Berman. He had 3 grandchildren: Joshua Berman, Katie (and Zach) Berman Stein, and Lauren Antonoff. His brother is Steven R. Antonoff of Denver. Gary is also survived by his former wife Carol Karsh. An avid golfer, he played 18 holes two days before he died. Service, Sunday, 1:00 p.m., Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape Street; Interment Emanuel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to charity of choice.