Obituary Former Commissioner Stanley Arkin Stanley Arkin, builder, former Miami Beach commissioner, dies at 821 Miami Herald Page 1 of 5
Local Obituaries AUGUST 24, 2015
Stanle y Arkin, builder, former Miami Beach
commissioner, dies at 82
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BY CARLI TEPROFF
cteproff @ MiamiHerald.corn
When Stanley Arkin closed his construction business in 1997, he briefly considered
retiring, focusing on his family and his hobbies including model trains.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article32271432.html 8/25/2015
Stanley Arkin, builder, former Miami Beach commissioner, dies at 821 Miami Herald Page 2 of 5
But his retirement didn't last long.
Arkin — whose construction business built parts of Mount Sinai Medical Center, the
Miami Beach Hilton and Miami Beach Jewish Community Center, to name a few —
soon formed Arkin Consulting Inc., working on projects for what is now Jungle
Island, Braman Management and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
Arkin, who also served as a Miami Beach commissioner from 1984 to 1991 and was
a life member of the University of Miami's Board of Trustees, died Saturday night at
age 82,just a week shy of his birthday. His son Robert Arkin said his father's health
declined after his wife of 56 years, Jill Arkin, died in June 2014.
"He died of a broken heart," he said. "He had a really hard time after my mother
died."
Added Stanley Arkin's older son Bradley: "When she died he totally collapsed."
Arkin was born in Manhattan on Aug. 28, 1933, and moved to Miami Beach with his
parents and two older siblings in 1934. His father, Joseph Arkin, began Arkin
Construction in 1935.
Stanley Arkin graduated from the University of Miami in 1953 with an accounting
degree and joined his family's construction business shortly thereafter. He became
president of the company in 1994.
Bradley Arkin said his dad loved Miami Beach and became involved in boards
because "he always wanted to help make things better."
In 1984, Arkin was part of a group of Miami Beach activists who helped bridge the
gap between the Beach and the mainland.
"The idea is new and kind of exciting," Arkin said at the time. "It's going to be hard to
do. It's the first time in 49 years I've seen both sides sit down and talk."
That same year he was appointed to fill a seat left vacant by a commissioner who
resigned to run for a Senate seat.
After being appointed, the self-proclaimed "apolitical man," told the Miami Herald
that he has "looked at city government from the other side."
"I think that we have an opportunity to see great change," he said. "It will take me a
while to learn my way around as a commissioner. But I am exhilarated."
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article32271432.html 8/25/2015
Stanley Arkin, builder, former Miami Beach commissioner, dies at 82 1 Miami Herald Page 3 of 5
He served on the commission until 1991, when he resigned.
In the late 1990s, Stanley Arkin got involved in the Performing Arts Center Trust, and
played a key role in the construction of the Adrienne Arscht Center for the
Performing Arts as a consultant.
Arkin's job was to oversee the bidding process for contractors. In 1997, he led
negotiations to hire Church & Tower, owned by the family of Cuban National
Foundation leader Jorge Mas Canosa, as a construction manager.
He managed to get an agreement for less than $4 million after talks started at $7.5
million;, according to news reports at the time. Arkin brought the contract in at less
than $4 million.
Arkin also dedicated ed Gated a lot of his time to the University Palmer
of Miami and Bascom P Im r
Eye Institute.
"Stanley Arkin was just a wonderful human being with a passion for Bascom Palmer
and a life-member of the Board of Trustees," said former University of Miami
President Donna Shalala. "He was always the first to volunteer."
Norman Braman, auto magnate and longtime friend of the Arkins, said "Bascom
Palmer wouldn't be what it is today without Stanley."
While his son said he loved being involved in the community and helping others, he
also loved being with his wife and family.
When his wife — whom he met at a Fontainebleau pool party in 1957 —was
diagnosed with dementia, he became a full-time caregiver and was with her until the
end.
"I don't think there was a more dedicated family man and husband," Braman said.
Added Bradley Arkin: "They were so affectionate and so in love."
In addition to his sons Robert and Bradley Arkin, he is survived by his brother Jules
Arkin and son Gregory Arkin and three grandchildren.
Services will be held at noon Thursday at Temple Beth Sholom, 4144 Chase Ave,
Miami Beach.
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http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/obituaries/article32271432.html 8/25/2015
Stanley Arkin, builder, former Miami Beach commissioner, dies at 82 I Miami Herald Page 4 of 5
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Jo Manning • Syracuse University
The Arkins built the condo I live in on Ocean Drive. I had the pleasure of meeting this
gentleman once. Sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to the family.
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