Alfred R. “Al” Goldstein

Alfred R. "Al" Goldstein, 92, of Sarasota, Florida passed away Monday afternoon June 26, 2017.

Born on October 16th, 1924 in Seagate, New York, he was the only child of Nathan and Besse Goldstein, first Generation Americans. His schooling took place in Brooklyn.

He volunteered for the army in 1943 at the age of eighteen, and saw action 10 days after 'D-Day", from Normandy to the Alsace, in the 3rd Mechanized Calvary, as reconnaissance behind enemy lines, where he was eventually wounded. Recuperating in Devizes in England, 3.5 months later returned to his unit in Theonville Alsace, where he was injured for a second time recuperating again in England before returning to the U.S.

Post-war he returned to Cornell University, completing his studies for a Civil Engineering Degree in June 1947.

He married one week later on June 22nd, 1947 to Ann Lubin, of New Rochelle, New York, with whom he had three children. Wendy Harriet, born in 1949, married to Edward Cohen, Stephen Roy in 1953, married to Cindy Goldstein and Richard Elliott in 1957 engaged to Elizabeth Spingler. His grandchildren are Stacy Weckstein, Dana and Scott Yaphe, Jessica and Zachary Goldstein, Heather and Matt Sugarman, Pamela Cohen and Jordan Goldstein, and Elizabeth Spingler's daughters, Chloe and Riley. Great-grandchildren are Ella and Amina Torres, Aiden and Soren Yaphe, Parker and Ryder Sugarman.

His first job was with the New York architectural firm of Harrison & Abromovich, assigned to the construction of the United Nations Building in 1947. In 1950 he joined Doral Construction as an Engineer, in contract relations, during which time he received his Professional Engineering License.
In 1951 he founded Elk Realty, a private real-estate development, sales and management firm, based in New York. He self-funded his own store-front property, built and sold it. This was the beginning of his real-estate career. Joseph I. Lubin, his father-in-Law, became his mentor, and Alfred took his Real Estate License in order to manage Lubin's Loft building on E. 23rd street.

In 1956 he built his first apartment building of 172 units (a 2-year project) which he owned till 1986, during which time he owned/managed other properties, including office buildings apartment houses and hotels. Examples are, The Schwab House on 21 West Street, 63 Wall Street, and 1107 Broadway.

In the 1960's he owned seven theatres on 42nd street plus signature hotels including The Taft Hotel in New York, and Hotel Muehlbach in Kansas City. (A favorite of President Harry Truman with an iconic 12-year old House Bourbon.

He was an investor in the development of Grand Bahama Island with Wallace Groves, and Charles Haywood. His philanthropy began with the founding of his foundation in 1955, named for he and his late wife Ann.

He served on the Board of New Rochelle Hospital for 20 years rising to the Presidency. On the Board of Syracuse University for 20 years, he named the Alumni Building, the Auditorium in the Student Center on South Campus and the School of Accounting dedicated to Joseph I. Lubin. On the board of Pace University for 15 years, he named the Athletic Facility, refurbished the new Lower Manhattan Science Labs, donated an office building with classrooms in Pleasantville, reported in the Wall Street Journal.

He and Ann lived part-time in Palm Beach but followed life-long friends Stanley and Janet Kane to Sarasota, retiring in 1986.

Alfred was on the board of New College Foundation for 7 years, funding a dormitory. He served on the board of Mote Marine Laboratories for 15 years, naming the Marine Mammal Center, Otter Display, funded a research vessel, and donated The Summerlin Key Research Building. He served on Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board as an appointee for 16 years, funding the fish tank in the Emergency building, the Garden Cafe for Anne Goldstein, and the Newtown Alfred & Jean Goldstein Medical Centre. Serving Ringling College Board for 15 years he has funded ongoing Scholarships, 2 campus buildings and 2 dormitories and named the new Alfred R. Goldstein Library Building. For the Pines of Sarasota, he funded the Ann and Alfred Goldstein Rehab Centre, Beauty Shop and Jean and Alfred Goldstein Rehabilitation Building. For Selby Gardens, he funded the Ann Goldstein Children's Rain Forest Garden, and created the Jean and Alfred Goldstein Annual Arts Series opening with a Chagall exhibit! He named a wing for The Jewish Family and Children's Services. He also funded the Sarasota Ballet Jean W. Goldstein Touring Program. He has donated to nameless charitable causes over a period of 50 years.

In Israel, he has supported Yazreel College, naming 3 dormitories in memory of his son Roger, who died in infancy, his cousin Raymond Rakoff, and his late wife Ann Goldstein. Naming the Alfred Goldstein Campus, and the new Jean and Alfred Goldstein Nursing Simulation building.

Dr. Goldstein has 3 honorary doctoral degrees. Syracuse University, (Dr. of Humane Letters), Pace University, (Dr. of Commercial Science), and Ringling College of Art & Design, (Dr. of Art).

He was married to Ann Lubin Goldstein for 63 years, and after a long illness she passed away in April 2011.

He remarried Jean Allenby Weidner, friend of 30 years, Founder of the Sarasota Ballet and Designing Women Charitable Boutique and community philanthropist. Together they travelled extensively throughout the world and enjoyed supporting their community.

Alfred was honored just days before his death by Designing Women Boutique and the City of Sarasota, with a Mayoral Proclamation designating June 16th 2017 as 'Alfred Goldstein Day'.

His favorite motto was "Give them a spark and let them make a fire!"

His beloved wife Jean was at his side supported by his son Richard & family throughout his long final illness bravely borne, and at his passing.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 am Wednesday morning, June 28, 2017 at Temple Beth Sholom, 1050 South Tuttle Avenue 34237 with the interment to follow at Temple Beth Sholom Cemetery, 901 Circus Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34232.

Arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral Home.