Ben Z. Grenald's Obituary
Ben Z. Grenald
April 6, 1920 – May 11, 2020
It is with great sadness that the family of Ben Z. Grenald announces his passing on Monday, May 11, 2020, at the age of 100 years.
Ben was predeceased by his loving wife of over 70 years, Selma, and his beloved son, Douglas. Ben will be lovingly remembered by daughter Suzi Stettner, grandchildren Tiffany Stettner, Brett Stettner, Shaun (Sara) Grenald, Scott (Leo Gallardo) Grenald, and Shane Grenald, great-grandchildren Heavenly Bliss Angel Stettner, Alexander Grenald, and Madeleine Grenald, and brother Ray (Sis) Grenald.
The epitome of a mensch, Ben was born in Brooklyn, New York to the late Sam and Bertha (Borgenicht) Greenwald, and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Ben received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Louisville and an honorary doctorate from the University of Kentucky. From his earliest years, Ben was full of ingenuity and entrepreneurial acumen, which led him to embark upon a lifelong career as an inventor of products. In these early years, his notable creations included Liquid-Hoze, a paint-on stocking at a time when nylons were hard to get, and Shuttle Lotion, which he first brought to market in 1938 and that is still on sale today. While in school at the University of Louisville he completed the Engineering Defense Training Program and worked as a line inspector overseeing the manufacture of munitions for Goodyear Engineering Company in Charlestown, Indiana, where he received many commendations. In early 1942, like many of his generation, Ben felt the calling to serve, and joined the US Navy.
Ben was stationed in North Africa, operating an LVT under the command of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. While in Africa, Ben’s appendix ruptured, leading to an emergency evacuation back to the states. Though away from the front lines, Ben still managed to fight for the cause. On May 12, 1943, while in port at Pier 92 in New York City, Ensign Grenald apprehended eight prisoners of war who had escaped confinement on the Queen Mary. U.S. Navy Captain A.H. Pashley commended Ben for his “meritorious service in the performance of his duty, showing exceptional vigilance, forehandedness and taking charge of a situation…He acted courageously, quickly and wisely.” Additionally, “The apprehension of these eight prisoners of war, all that had escaped, is very largely due to his actions.”
On June 23, 1943 Ben married his sweetheart, Selma Minden, at Beth Jacob, Miami Beach’s first synagogue. After the war, Ben settled in Miami Beach with his bride and got a job as a pharmacist on Washington Ave. Shortly after that, Ben bought that store, which was the first of 38 drugstores in the Miami area that he owned throughout his career as a pharmacist. Some of his stores are landmarks to this day, such as the King Rexall 74th Street Drug Store, Meridian Apothecary, the Hotel Pharmacy on Lincoln Road, and Moderne Pharmacy 2, now known as Allen’s, at the corner of Red and Bird Roads. But none meant more to him and the community than The Moderne Pharmacy located on the corner of Prairie Ave. & Arthur Godfrey Rd. in Miami Beach.
Aside from being a pharmacist and store owner, Ben founded a cosmetics company, American Hygienic Laboratories, where he manufactured and sold worldwide over 100 different products of his own formulation, most notably Grenald’s Shuttle Lotion, but also including the Tiffan“E” line of skincare products (later renamed “D’lanerg”) and Mascaroff eye makeup remover. Ever fruitful and with tremendous drive and energy, Ben amassed over 150 patents and trademarks in his lifetime.
After the war, while Ben was no longer serving in the military, his love for his community and deep need to serve led him to return to public service. He was appointed to the Miami Beach Tourism & Development Authority (TDA). He later served for 11 years (1971-82) as a member and Chairman of The Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority (VCA). In 1983 Ben ran for, and was elected to, the Miami Beach City Commission, where he continued to serve until 1989 as Vice Mayor. Throughout his career in politics, Ben created and shaped many important policies and changes in Miami Beach, the most notable being spearheading and getting passed the ordinance that made outdoor cafes legal, which reversed long-held policies against the practice in Miami Beach. One can argue that this ordinance alone changed the landscape and personality of what we now know as South Beach. He was also instrumental in saving the Colony Theater.
There are many successful people in business and politics but not many have achieved this level of professional success without sacrificing their home life. Ben was one of the rare breeds that always made time for his family, spending every weekend barbecuing and in the pool with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, the pride and joy of his life. The most important thing to Ben was his family and his friends. Everything else came after. If a man’s wealth could be measured by the people who loved him, I think it would be fair to say he would be near the top of that list.
Ben’s honors and awards are too numerous to list and even if we could, it would still not paint a fully accurate picture how special a man he was. His energy, charisma, and loving kindness are legendary and will live on in the hearts of all who have had the good fortune to know him. His passing is a loss to the world, and he will be missed by countless people whose life he touched. The family would like to give special thanks to Ben’s caretakers, Sandra, Judy and Rose for their hard work, love and compassionate care for Ben. They are owed a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.
The funeral service will be livestreamed on YouTube Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 2:00 pm on the Shaun Grenald YouTube Channel and will be available thereafter for continued viewing. A memorial service will be held on Zoom at noon on Thursday, May 14. For information on attending the Zoom memorial please contact Sara Grenald at [email protected] or (305) 998-9728.
Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert (305) 932-2700
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