Morton D. Weiner

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Towson University

Morton Weiner Obituary

WEINER, MORTON D., died Thursday of complications of pneumonia. He was a nationally recognized leader in the insurance industry. Born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1922, he joined the army at the age of 17, after earning a B.S degree from Towson State University. In the army, Mort became a radio engineer and rose to rank of Captain in the Signal Corps, serving in Burma in World War II. On his return to the United States, he settled in southern California where he entered the insurance industry. As an active member of the Jewish community in Los Angeles, he lead fund raising efforts for the new State of Israel by promoting the sale of Israel Bonds. Over the course of his business life, he was involved in virtually every aspect of the industry from starting and running independent agencies to being Chairman and CEO of an insurance holding company. During the 1960s and 1970s Mort was president of Avnet, Inc., a New York-based Fortune 500 company and CEO of Norin Corporation, a Miami-headquartered Fortune 500 company he created from a complex merger of several companies in the U.S. and Canada. In 1979, he founded MDW Insurance, Inc., a Miami insurance agency now located in Coral Gables. His son, Jeff Weiner, is currently Chief Executive Officer of the company. Mort moved to Coral Gables with his family in 1971 as President of Norin Corporation. He quickly became involved in the South Florida community. He served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Grand Opera and its predecessor the Greater Miami Opera since the early 1970s. He was a member of the Boards of Directors of City National Bank of Florida and Pan American Bank. Over the course of his career he served on numerous other for-profit and not-for-profit boards. In recent years he became an active member of Temple Judea in Coral Gables. Outside of his business career, Mort loved life and loved his family. He took great joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren. He beat the odds and came back twice in the past ten years from catastrophic medical conditions to continue to enjoy an active life. Mort Weiner is survived by his sisters Hilda and Bess, his children Bruce, Lori, Juli, Jeff, and Susie and their spouses Cathy, Eric, Ethan and Douglas his grandchildren Sabrina, Joanie, Emily, Hannah, Noah, David, Lucas, Daniel, Rachel, Jessica, Nate, Joey, Amanda, Mara, Russell, Andrew, Zandy and Matthew. His beloved wife of 31 years, Joan Weiner, died in 1998. Funeral services will be held at Temple Judea, 5500 Granada Blvd. in Coral Gables at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 5. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mort?s memory to either The Florida Grand Opera (Robert Heuer, General Manager, 305-854-1643) or the Rabbis Mitzvah Funds of Temple Judea in Coral Gables (305-667-5657). Alternatively, friends could purchase an Israel Bond (800-704-2263). To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Miami Herald on Oct. 4, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Morton Weiner

9 Entries

Janet Bolender

October 8, 2008

Dear Jeff & Weiner family,

I was saddened to hear of your Father's passing. It was my privilege to work with him for so many years both at Norin and at MDW&Co. He was a great teacher and an inspiration to me. Dick and I extend our deepest sympathy to you.

Sandra Lehman

October 7, 2008

Dear Jeff:

I cannot tell you how sorry I was to hear of Mr. Weiner's death. My love and prayers go to you and your family in this very sad time.

Lori Goldstein

October 6, 2008

Dear Jeff:

I was sadened to hear about the loss of your father. He was a dear, dear, man. Please accept my sympathies.

Gary Golnick

October 5, 2008

Jeff & Family:

Please accept our condolences to you and your family during this time of loss. Our prayers are with you.

The world has lost an amazing man; a man of courage, strength, grace and a passionate love of family.

I first met Mort 15 years ago when he hired me to help run one of his insurance subsidiaries. He immediately welcomed me into his family, and treated me like a son.

I learned early on that Mort had more wisdom than anyone I had ever known, so when in his presence, I opened my ears and closed my mouth and listened to his stories of business and life.

One's true legacy is determined by whether they leave the world a better place than when they arrived. Mort passed this test with flying colors.

I will miss Mort dearly, but I know how happy he is now to be with his Joan; the love of his life.

All Our Love,

The Golnick Family

Ellie and Bob Miller

October 4, 2008

Bob and I were saddened to learn of Mort's death this morning. I knew Mort since he was fifteen, a precocious teenager, and saw him develop over the years into an astute businessman.

When Mort and Joan moved to Miami, one of my early vignettes was of Jeff crqadling a coconut, his heart's desire as a new Florida resident. Mort lost no time in making that happen for him.

We send our condolences to the generations he nurtured.

Lisa Cole

October 4, 2008

I wanted to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences. As Juli's friend in high school, I have fond memories of Mort and Joan; visiting them at their home in Cape Cod and in Gables Estates in the 70’s. They were always so kind and gracious -- I felt like I was part of the family.
Juli: it has been a long time but I wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and your family during this very difficult time in your life.

With fondest regards,

Lisa Cole

Audrey and Jack Ross

October 4, 2008

Dear Jeff and family,
We will certainly miss Mort's engaging smile, quick wit and warm greetings each and every time we met. He served diligently as President of our Gables Estates homeowners' association, and we were lucky to have had him.
Do accept our sincere condolences on the loss of this amazing man!
You will be in our thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks.

herbert and francine tobin

October 4, 2008

Jeff and Family,

Fran and I were deeply saddened by the news of the passing of your Dad. He was really something! He touched our lives and as they say when going through life it is the people that you meet that makes the difference. He made a difference. We hope that the pain passes soon and that you are left only with the fond memories of your lives together. Fran and I send our love to you and to your family.

Herb and Fran Tobin

Roger Trombino

October 4, 2008

Mort recruited me to Norin as its CFO in 1973. I moved from Chicago with my family in 1973 to join Norin. I have many memories of Mort and Joan, and Bruce Norris. Joann, my wife, and I learned a lot from them. We have many stories. It was a cast of very interesting people. I last saw Mort a couple of years ago at Riviera CC. He looked good; we talked and reminisced about our Norin days. Mort was truly one of the most unforgetable men I have met in my business career. He had an impact on my life. I will pray for him and Joan.

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