Lester Hirsch, Jr

HIRSCH, Les, age 75 of Tampa died Friday, October 31, 2008. Les was a 50 year resident of Tampa where he loved living his adult life. He is survived by his caring and loving wife of 51 years, Gail, who stood by his side their entire married life; his sons, Rabbi David Hirsch and his wife Margot of Jerusalem, Andrew Hirsch and his wife Tricia of Tampa and his daughter, Beth Hirsch of Los Angeles; and 6 grandchildren who he adored and loved so very much, Aryeh, Devorah, Elazar and Yitzhok Hirsch of Israel, and Lauren and Rachel Hirsch of Tampa. Les was born in New York City and earned his BA from Brooklyn College and his BS in Optometry from Ohio State University. Les became a stockbroker in 1960 after serving in the U.S. Air Force at MacDill AFB as a Doctor of Optometry. He and his son Andy joined Robert W. Baird & Co., in 1993, after Les had run multiple offices for E.F. Hutton, L.F. Rothschild, Drexel Burnham, and George K. Baum & Co., in an incredibly satisfying brokerage career. One of his greatest joys was the many folks he hired into the securities industry that went on to help so many others. An active member of his community, he is the former Chairman of the Tampa Sports Authority during Tampa's first Super Bowl in 1984 and a former member of the Tampa Port Authority where he was appointed by Gov. Claude Kirk in the late 1970's. He was a past president of the Tampa Jaycees, and his temple brotherhood at Congregation Schaarai Zedek. One of his greatest honors was being recognized as "Father of the Year" by the Shelton Quarles Foundation sponsored by the Buccaneers. He loved the horses at Tampa Bay Downs and you could always find him there during racing season in the Epstein/Hirsch box. He will be missed so deeply by his loving family, his colleagues at work and his wide circle of friends A memorial service will take place at 4:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, 3303 W. Swann Ave., Tampa. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hirsch Torah Endowment Fund at Congregation Schaarai Zedek.