AMNON BARNESS

BARNESS--Amnon, 85, on December 12. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. Devoted husband of Caren, and loving father of Rena, Dalia, Daniel, and Jordan. Survived by them and nine grandchildren. A man of immeasurable talent, charisma and idealism, he lived an extraordinary life that included service in the Hagana in the 1940s, immigrating to the USA with just $100, and eventually becoming a captain of industry and philanthropy. He was a self-made man who epitomized the American dream but never forgot his roots. He channeled his rare talents and success as a businessman to advance the cause of education and strengthen the ties between the United States and Israel. He received 18 separate mentions in the Congressional Record and served as the chairman of Israel Bonds for the greater Los Angeles area for seven years. He was the Founder-Chairman Emeritus of the Fund for Higher Education, which supported over one hundred colleges and universities in the United States and all seven universities in Israel. With an investment of $10,000 dollars, he co-founded Daylin, Inc. (NYSE), a Fortune 500 company, and was its chairman until 1975. He later founded Handy Dan Home Improvement Center (OTC), the precursor of Home Depot. He served on President Lyndon Johnson's Youth Opportunity Campaign Council and was President of the Fund for Job Corps Graduates, established by him and then Vice-President Hubert Humphrey. At his retirement from the Chairmanship of Daylin and Handy Dan, the two companies had 600 locations and 16,000 employees in the United States and Europe. In 1975 he formed Trans International Management Corp., which successfully negotiated major contracts with various foreign governments and represented several United States multi-national corporations. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Stonehill College and an Honorary Fellowship from Tel Aviv University. He was honored by the Catholic Church when Cardinal Tisserant named him Knight Commander of Merit of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He served on the Boards of Governors of Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute of Science. He was an avid world traveler, linguist, philatelist, and philanthropist. He also authored an autobiography titled "Partners." His interment and funeral will be held in Israel. Contributions in his honor may be made to the Weizmann Institute's Science for The Benefit of Humanity Fund.