J. Frank Fine

J. FRANK FINE J. Frank Fine (Sonny) died peacefully on Friday, April 25, 2003. He was born on September 23, 1924 in New York City to Robert Fine and Celia Weinstein Fine. He was predeceased by his first wife, Wendy Holmes Fine who he married to for almost 45 years and his sister, Muriel Fine Stursberg and brother, Pat M. Fine. Mr. Fine is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Nanci Adels Fine who has also worked by his side for many years, his son Barry Holmes Fine (Dawn), daughter Wendy Fine, grandchildren Anthony Holmes Fine, Francesca Brooke Adels Fine, Brian Frank Cavanaugh, Christopher Michael Cavanaugh, and nieces and nephews Amy, Walter, and Henry Stursberg, Dick, Geoff, Ian, Tim and Ben Brown, and Rebecca and Louis Fine. He is also survived by the Fine Air family (where he was affectionately known as "The King") and will be missed by all who knew him. He was a true giant among men. Frank grew up in the Bronx and became an entrepreneur at an early age. Working for his father and his father's brother, Abe, Frank began buying produce in North Carolina. In the late 1930's, the Fine family moved to Palm Beach County and grew and sold vegetables on farms in the Belle Glade and Pahokee areas. During that period, Frank attended the University of South Carolina and Middlesex University where he studied to become a veterinarian. In 1950, Frank Fine entered the vegetable brokerage business in Pompano Beach. The business was successful and he began growing crops in South Carolina, South Florida, Cuba, Panama and other parts of the Caribbean. These ventures were enhanced by the use of air transportation to fly seasonal crops back to South Florida for processing and transport by truck and rail to Northeast markets. After Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1969 and appropriated the farms and equipment, Mr. Fine moved his growing operations to Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Panama. During this period, Mr. Fine leased trucks, ships and aircraft to transport his produce to processing plants. Realizing the importance of reliable transportation, he began planning to establish his own air cargo transport system. In 1975 he formed Agro Air International, and purchased his first aircraft, an early model Boeing 720 jet aircraft to fly his own produce to Miami for distribution. In 1982, Frank and his son Barry Holmes Fine established Agro Air Associates, Inc., as an aircraft maintenance and leasing company with five McDonnell Douglas DC-8's. In 1987, they founded Miami Jet, a division of Agro Air, to provide repair and overhaul services for the company's Pratt & Whitney jet engines. To expand the scope of the company's air cargo transportation services and take advantage of growing trade, the Fines founded Fine Air in 1989. In 1992 the company received its U.S. air carrier operating certificate and began developing its own cargo routes in 1994. Fine Air grew to become the largest cargo airline serving South and Central America, employing more than 1500 people at its peak. Under his leadership, Fine Air became known for its humanitarian relief missions to the Caribbean and Central America following several devastating hurricanes. He also was personally involved in several South Florida charitable and philanthropic organizations. Always the entrepreneur, his most recent venture was Quiet Technology Aerospace, a Hush Kit manacturing company for Gulfstream business jets. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple Beth Am, 5950 North Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33156 or Temple Beth El, 2815 North Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407. Services will be held on Monday, April 28, 2003 12:30 P.M. at Temple Beth El. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel, 5411 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL. 1-800-947-4256