José Ferré

José Antonio Ferré Aguayo (September 12, 1902 – September 15, 1990) was a Puerto Rican businessman, industrialist and government official. He was a brother of Luis Ferré, who served as Governor of Puerto Rico, and Isolina Ferré, the "Mother Teresa of Puerto Rico". Ferré was also the father of Maurice Ferré, a former six-term mayor of Miami, Florida.[1]

José Ferré
Born
José Antonio Ferré Aguayo

(1902-09-12)September 12, 1902
Ponce, Puerto Rico
DiedSeptember 15, 1990(1990-09-15) (aged 88)
Puerto Rico
NationalityPuerto Rican
OccupationBusinessman
Parent(s)Antonio Ferré and Mary Aguayo

Early life and education

Ferré was born in Ponce and the son of Cuban born Antonio Ferré Bacallao.[2] After attending Morristown-School (now Morristown-Beard School) in Morristown, New Jersey, he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts in 1924.[3] Ferré later served on the Board of Trustees of the school alongside Edward Kennedy.[4] He earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Miami.[3]

Industrial development

During the years following World War II, Ferré grew his wealth by purchasing bankrupt glass, cement, and carton factories. At one point, his family empire owned 80 corporations in Puerto Rico, the United States, Venezuela, and Panama.[2]

In 1965, Ferré's real estate company, the Ferré Florida Corporation, financed the construction of the 30-story New World Tower in the Central Business District in Miami. At the time, the building, which cost $6 million to construct, stood as the tallest in Florida.[5] Its construction represented part of a broader effort to revitalize Miami.[6]

Legacy

In 1990, U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida's 27th congressional district honored the legacy and impact of Ferré during remarks on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The tribute recognized Ferré's vision and industrial pursuits.[3]

References
  1. Vigil, Maurilio E. (1987). "Hispanics in Local Office- State and Local Levels". Hispanics in American Politics: The Search for Political Power. p. 102.
  2. "Jose Antonio Ferre Aguayo". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 19 September 1990.
  3. 1990 Congressional Record, Vol. 136, Page E3220
  4. "Boston U Names a Kennedy". The New York Times. 21 October 1961. "Edward M. Kennedy, youngest brother of President Kennedy, was one of three persons elected today to the Board of Trustees of Boston University. Other elected were Stephen P. Mugar of Belmont, President of the Star Market Company, and Jose A. Ferre, industrialist."
  5. "30-Story Miami Building Will Be Tallest in Florida". The New York Times. 27 November 1963.
  6. "MIAMI REVERSES TREND OF DOWNTOWN DECAY; Enormous Project". The New York Times. November 3, 1987.
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