Jack Benaroya

Jack A. Benaroya (July 11, 1921 – May 11, 2012) was a pioneering real state developer who built what became the Northwest’s largest privately-held commercial real-estate empire which he sold in 1984 for $315 million.

Jack A. Benaroya
Born(1921-07-11)July 11, 1921
Montgomery, Alabama
DiedMay 11, 2012(2012-05-11) (aged 90)
NationalityUnited States
OccupationFounder of the Benaroya Company
Spouse(s)Rebecca Benaroya
ChildrenDonna Benaroya
Alan Benaroya
Larry Benaroya

After selling his company, he became a venture capitalist and was an early investor in Starbucks.[1] He was noted more for being a philanthropist and prominent civic leader in Seattle, Washington.[2]

Biography

Benaroya was born to Lebanese Jewish immigrants in Montgomery, Alabama[3][4] but spent his childhood in California before moving to Seattle at the age of 12.[3] Benaroya attended Seattle's Garfield High School.[5] After graduating, he took a job at his family's beer distributorship and then went on to serve with the United States Navy in the Philippines during World War II.[3]

Upon his return, he became involved in real estate by building post offices in the region which was experiencing a post-war boom; however, his fortune was earned by building industrial parks, a concept not yet seen in the northwestern United States.[3]

In 1956, Benaroya established the Benaroya Company which would become the largest commercial real estate developer in the state of Washington.[3] In 1984, he sold his real estate portfolio for $315 million shifting the focus of the company to venture capital.[3]

Benaroya was an early investor in Starbucks.[3]

Philanthropy

Benaroya was a former director of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce; the United Way of King County; Temple de Hirsch Sinai; Congregation Ezra Bessaroth; the Stroum Jewish Community Center; and the Pilchuck Glass School.[3] He was a supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International (JDRF); the University of Washington Medical Center; Children's Hospital and Medical Center; Lakeside School; and the Jewish Federation and Council of Seattle.

He funded the Benaroya Hall, facility for the Seattle Symphony which opened in 1998; and the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle which opened in 1999.[3]

Personal life and death

Benaroya was married to his wife Rebecca for over seventy years. They had three children: Donna Benaroya, Alan Benaroya, and Larry Benaroya.[3] In the years before his death, Benaroya was slowed by Parkinson's disease.[6] He died on May 11, 2012.[3][7]

See also

References
  1. Kugiya, Hugo. "Seattle's Coffee King -- In The Beginning Was A Quaint Little Roasting Company. Then Came Howard Schultz". Seattletimes.
  2. "Obituary: Jack Benaroya, 90, was a prolific developer and quiet philanthropist". Seattletimes.com. Benaroya became better-known for his philanthropic activities
  3. Pryne, Eric (May 12, 2012), "Obituary: Jack Benaroya, 90, was a prolific developer and quiet philanthropist", Seattle Times
  4. Beit Hatfutsot: The Museum Of The Jewish People. "The Jewish Community of Seattle".
  5. Seattle Times: "School spotlight: Garfield High School" By Marc Matsui May 27, 2003
  6. Chesley, Frank (May 11, 2012). "Benaroya, Jack Albert (1921-2012)". Essay 7419. HistoryLink.
  7. JT News: "Jack Benaroya, 1921-2012: A leader who built a community" by Joel Magalnick May 23, 2012

Notes
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