My Father's law-firm partner, Don McClosky (of Ruden-McClosky) passed away earlier this month. Here are some exchanges forwarded from my mother...
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-------Original Message-------
From: Jo Ann
Date: 9/23/2011 9:20:23 AM
To: Dr. Lisa Earle
Subject: Don McClosky
Buddy Nevins wrote one of the best tributes to Don. I wasn't sure you got to see it. What make it particularly special was that he and Don were adversaries and had many confrontational moments. Clearly, there was a lot of respect.
Did you see the obits in the Sun Sentinel or the Miami Herald? I can send those to you as well.End of an Era as Don McClosky Dies
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BY BUDDY NEVINS
The end of an era is a phrase overused, especially by the media.
In the case of Don McClosky's death from cancer Wednesday, the term is apt.
McClosky, 84, was the lawyer/lobbyist most responsible for today's Broward. No arguments.
Sawgrass Mills. The Sunrise hockey arena. Wheelabrator’s waste incinerators. All McClosky clients.
Dozens of housing developments like Forest Ridge. Scads of shopping centers like the Pembroke Pines Mall and Lauderhill Mall. Hundreds of other landmark projects like the Marriott Harbor Beach and Hallandale’s Three Islands that now are sprinkled across the county.
Just about everybody who helped shape Broward fro 1970-2000 was McClosky's client. The Forman family of real estate titans, Wayne Huizenga,Charlie Palmer, scores of others.
Why?
McClosky was the maestro of government process. He knew who to call, what procedures to use and what was the downside of any vote for office holders and staff.
With polished negotiating skills, McClosky often fine-tuned agreements between elected officials and developers. The result was the buildings we see today.
"He could do more in five minutes on the phone than other lawyers could do in a day. He just knew how to get things done," said Browardbeat.com's SamFields, a lawyer with McClosky's firm and long-time friend.
The McClosky I knew was tough, wily, witty, often profane, razor sharp and a straight shooter.
McClosky Fought His Way to Success
Born in pre-Depression boom in Miami, McClosky was raised by a single mom on the edge of poverty. He told me that he learned to use his fists because Jews were often the target of bullies. He also taught himself basketball, a game he enjoyed well into his 70s.
After leaving the U. S. Army Air Corp as a World War II vet, he worked his way through the University of Miami as a salesman and later the youngest manager of a Jackson Byron store(DWR: he must have worked for Leonard Barr!). While in school he met Simon Ruden, who encouraged him to go to law school.
After graduation, McClosky was living in Broward. He said he couldn’t find work because Jewish lawyers were shunned by the deeply anti-Semitic downtown Fort Lauderdale establishment in 1960.
So McClosky got the last laugh. He joined a new firm being put together by Ruden, Elliot Barrett and Carl Schuster. It eventually became the biggest law firm in Broward and one of the biggest in the state. Today it is called Ruden McClosky.
And the old timey law firms that shunned McClosky? They mostly folded as the demographics of South Florida changed.
Success didn't come easy. At first they took anybody who would walk through the front door. Then a client who wanted to build a gas station in Fort Lauderdale and McClosky took the case.
He was off and running.
McClosky was a true believer in free enterprise and development. He said that projects he got approved permitted millions to live, shop and enjoy Florida.
But he was Darth Vader to the environmentalists like County CommissionerAnne Kolb. Patti Webster, then of Broward's Environmental Coalition, was quoted in the Miami Herald two decades ago calling McClosky "Mr. Destroy Southwest Broward."
I discussed the conflict between the environment and development with him many times.
He said that the only way to stop development was to put a wall on the Georgia border. People wanted to live in South Florida and they deserved reasonably priced housing and nice places to play, eat and shop.
The free enterprise philosophy aside, the McClosky I fondly remember had fun. He enjoyed his job. People can't ask much more from life.
One day he was standing in front of the county commission getting particular rough treatment. He left the microphone for a minute and walking to get some papers, he saw me on the aisle and leaned over.
With that McClosky twinkle in his eyes, he quipped, "Maybe I should tell her that I think the state seal of Florida should be a concrete block."
I started laughing, resulting in a stern look from the commissioner in question.
Rest in peace, Don.
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On Sep 24, 2011, at 2:27 PM, "Dr. Lisa Earle" wrote:
Thanks, JoAnn!
Buddy Nevins wrote truly a wonderful tribute to a great Guy, and he spelled this out so well! If convenient, do sent me the obits -we are getting only the Tampa Tribune here in the middle of the state.
I just spoke to Judy and she is, as usual, handling the great loss as she always dealt with happy as well as adverse happenings which sooner or later, we all experience...
I imagine, you went to the funeral -it would be so good to hear about who else gave eulogies and was present of our long-time friends. I have lost so many dear friends -wonder who is still around...
I was in the hospital at Emory in Atlanta and so could not attend1 Feeling a little better, I feel like a 92 year old, but I am "only" 91 ...(trying to have a sense of humor about it, it's better to laugh than to cry...)
Love to you and yours,
Decrepidly, but sincerely,
Lisa
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-------Original Message-------
From: Jo Ann
Date: 09/24/11 22:25:45
To: Dr. Lisa Earle
Subject: Re: Don McClosky
Don and I were at the funeral and it was really something special. It was held at Temple Kol Ami which joined with Temple Emanuel to form one huge facility way out west. The sanctuary holds more than 1000 congregants and there were only a very few seats not occupied. Every attorney, every power broker and every politician from each of the municipalities of Broward County attended. The old timers included Hugh Maloney, Pearl and Stanley Goodman, Sylvia Yohalem, Wynn Casteel, Carl and Sandy Schuster, Marlene and Bob Uchin, and Jacob Brodski (who is making his own 97th birthday party at Brooks Restaurant in Boca)
The eulogies were done exclusively by the family. First, Don and Judy's children appeared on the alter with Reed struggling to speak but oh, so heartfelt. Then, Jo Ann who is a great speaker did an heroic job.
Next all 9 grandchildren got up and they appointed Andrea (the granddaughter with Cystic Fibrosis) to speak for all of them. She is quite an accomplished speaker because she speaks all over the country to help raise awareness of her illness. She was wonderful.
Then, we went to the Evergreen Cemetary in Rio Vista where a remarkable number of people appeared. I never saw so many people participate in placing a shovel of dirt in the grave. Even the Mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Jack Seiler.
Very impressive and touching.
Sent from my iPad
Jo Ann Medalie
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On Sun, Sep 25, 2011 at 11:31 AM, Dr. Lisa Earle wrote:
You are a Darling, JoAnn, to take time to tell the tale of the truly special occasion of Don's funeral. Thank you so much! I almost feel like I attended, but as I told you, I was up in Atlanta (Emory U.Hospital). I almost feel like it was an end of a certain area we went through, without Don being with us any more...
My best to you and your family and also wishing you and yours a Happy, Healthy New Year! Let's DO keep in touch...
Love, Lisa
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