Abel Holtz

1935 - 2021

Abel Holtz
January 3, 1935 - July 3, 2021
Miami, Florida - Abel Holtz, 86, passed away July 3, 2021. He was born in Placetas, Cuba. He graduated from the University of Havana in 1956 with accounting and law degrees. He practiced law in Havana for 5 years and as a result of Abel's representation of political prisoners, he was jailed by the Castro regime. His wife, Fana, secured his release and he, along with his wife and two infant sons, Daniel and Javier, arrived in Miami in 1961.
Equipped with a law degree and determination Abel went to work in the banking business. With the support of close friends he raised funding to start Capital Bank in 1974. The bank grew to $2 billion in assets and became one of the largest minority-owned businesses. He also built the bank's factory subsidiary, Capital Factors, into one of the industry's largest. Abel was named Banker of the Year by the National Economic Development Association because of the assistance extended to the Latin community. and he received the Lincoln Marti Award from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Shortly thereafter he was awarded the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Wharton School Club of South Florida.
In addition, Abel was a great supporter of the community as a Chairman of Jackson Memorial Hospital Foundation and provided the leadership gift to establish Holtz Children's Hospital at Jackson. He also developed Fana Holtz High School at the Hebrew Academy and served on the board of the Diabetes Research Institute, the National Parkinson Foundation, Mt. Sinai Medical Center and many others.
We are grateful that we were privileged to have him in our lives. He brought us so much joy and taught us so much by example. Even though he has left us, he will never leave our hearts.
Although diplomas and mementos are displayed in his office, one offering stands out as somewhat different. On the shelf next to his tidy desk stands a statue that boasts the legend, "World's Best Father" right next to the one that says "World's Greatest Grandfather."
Abel is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Fana; his sons Daniel and Javier, daughter-in-law Andria, grandchildren Matthew and his wife Grace, great granddaughter Brooke Ava, Nicole, Andrew, Brandon, Aaron and Lauren. He is also survived by his brothers Moises and Jaime, brothers-in-law Isaac and Oscar, and their wives Berta and Anita.
Donations can be made in his memory to the Holtz Children's Hospital through their website www.jacksonhealthfoundation.org, or by calling 305-585-4483.