Ted Kaplan

Ted Kaplan, 92, of Boca Raton, Florida passed away at his home on July 25, 2013. He is survived by his devoted wife, Bobbi Kaplan; his sister, Ada Waxman; his son, Michael Kaplan and daughter, Karen Kaplan; daughter-in-law, Anita Kaplan and grandchildren, Jonathan, David and Nicholas. He is preceded in his passing by his sister Sylvia Kaplan and brother, Hank Kaplan. Ted was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1921 to Benjamin and Kadie Kaplan. After the passing of Ted's father at a very young age, Ted, along with his brother Hank, went to live at the Hebrew Orphanage Association (HOA) in N.Y.C. Ted thrived at the HOA and excelled in sports and was part of the championship basketball team. Many of Ted's closest and cherished life long friendships originated at the HOA including the surviving members of his basketball team who were his closest friends until the end - Solly, Joey and Patsy. Later in life, Ted was a big part of the HOA Alumni Association and its annual reunion banquets. After leaving the HOA, Ted enlisted and served in the Merchant Marines during WWII and several years thereafter. After leaving the Merchant Marines, Ted moved to Miami in the early 1950's where he met his first wife, Bernice and had two children, Michael and Karen. Ted started a successful lawn spraying business, King Spray Service, and later became the head of the Lawn Sprayer's Association and worked tirelessly to get legislation passed in Tallahassee on behalf of all in the industry. In the mid 1960's, Ted ventured very successfully into real estate when he opened Ted Kaplan Realty. He later became president of the South Miami Board of Realtors, and remained active in real estate until his retirement. In 1977, Ted met and later married his soul mate Bobbi Dean and shared a very blessed and wonderful 36 years together. Ted lived his life to the fullest with many accomplishments, but what he cherished and valued most was his wife, Bobbi, his family and his many friends. He touched countless lives with his natural affinity and interest in others, and always brought happiness to anyone he encountered. A private ceremony will be held for his immediate family this Sunday. A memorial service to celebrate Ted's accomplished life with his many friends and family will be scheduled sometime in early August.