LEONARD A. SOLOMON

SOLOMON, LEONARD A. With profound sadness we announce the passing of long- time Fort Lauderdale resident, Leonard A. Solomon, on July 20, 2012 in his summer home, in Boone, North Carolina. Leonard, an entrepreneur and philanthropist was born on April 22, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA. After graduating from the University of Maryland, he served in the US Coast Guard and began a successful business career shortly afterwards. His entrepreneurial spirit was reflected in his original business venture, Home Inc., a chain of home improvement centers in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. His company, Diversified Services, was one of the original franchisees of Budget Rent-a-Car, including 11 airport and 48 other locations throughout the US. He was co-founder of the Northern Virginia Racquet Club, the Heritage Motor Car Co, and was a franchisee of Wuv's and Kilwins Ice Cream chains. Leonard demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy and education with major gifts to the University of Florida, the University of Maryland, his alma mater, and Appalachian State University. He was most passionate in his philanthropy about those less fortunate. He was a major contributor to the Salvation Army in Broward County, The Global Hunger Project, and founded End World Hunger, Inc. dba as Kids Ecology Corp in Fort Lauderdale. In 1982, he spearheaded and rode in the TransAmerica Bike Ride with 51 other riders from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco to raise funds and awareness about the issue of global hunger, meeting with President Jimmy Carter and many other elected officials along the way. He supported Jewish causes, including JAFCO, Temple of the High Country in Boone, NC, Temple Bat Yam, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Israeli Tennis Centers. In his younger years he was a highly ranked tennis player in the State of Maryland. His passion for tennis became the life of his whole family. He served as President of the Greater Washington Tennis Association. He loved fishing, rollerblading and was an avid golfer. He took great pride in writing and publishing his book on investing, The Wisdom of Solomon, he was a prolific poet, and captured a lifetime of " Leonardisms." He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandi Finci Solomon, his loving children, Harold (Jan) Solomon, Barbara Liss, Mark (Patti) Solomon, Rochelle "Shelly" Solomon, his devoted grandchildren, Rachal and Antonio, Jesse, Amy and Mallory, Jared, Jamie and Sarah, Ashley, Adam, Jake and Lexi, and one great-grandchild, Lucas; Sandi's children Richard (Jill) Finci and Randi (Alan) Rosenberg, grandchildren Jennifer and Ben, Erica and Jordan, Jaclyn and Samantha. He also leaves his cherished sister, Myra Brill, nephews Jay and Gary Brill and many cousins and many others who call him more than a friend, all of his friends from Indian Spring CC in MD and the Lauderdale Tennis Club. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Rose Solomon, his first wife Roslyn Solomon, and his grandson, Scotty Liss. He was beyond generous, a nd an inspiration to all who crossed his path. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace. Leonard will be remembered for his tenacious spirit and passion for living life to the "fullest"! Memorial services will be held at the Star of David Cemetery, 7801 Bailey Rd., North Lauderdale, FL on Tuesday, July 24 at 1:45pm. Burial will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: JAFCO, The Hunger Project, Kids Ecology Corp, The Salvation Army, The Temple of the High Country, Temple Bat Yam. View this Guest Book at www. MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.