Stephen Muss' Obituary
Stephen Muss (1928–2025)
Visionary Developer, Philanthropist, and Champion of Miami Beach
Stephen Muss, beloved and devoted philanthropist, businessman, visionary, investor, son, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, partner and friend passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that transformed skylines, communities, and countless lives. Born on August 4, 1928, in New York City and raised in Brooklyn, Stephen’s journey began in the family construction business alongside his father, Alexander Muss. Together, they co-founded Alexander Muss & Sons, developing over 20,000 homes and 4,000 multifamily units across New York and New Jersey—laying the foundation for a lifetime of impact.
In the 1950s, the Muss family relocated to Florida, where they built iconic properties such as the Seacoast Towers, Towers of Key Biscayne, and Towers of Quayside. Stephen took the helm of the Florida operations in 1967, forming the Muss Organization and becoming Miami Beach’s largest landlord. His most celebrated achievement came in 1978 when he rescued the Fontainebleau Hotel from bankruptcy, investing over $100 million to restore its grandeur and revitalize Miami Beach’s hospitality industry.
Stephen’s visionary leadership extended beyond real estate. He championed the implementation of a 3% hotel bed tax—a bold and controversial move that ultimately generated hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure improvements, including the renovation and expansion of the Miami Beach Convention Center. As president of the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency, he played a pivotal role in securing South Pointe Park from the U.S. Army, transforming it into a cherished public space for generations to enjoy.
A man of deep conviction and generosity, Stephen Muss was passionately committed to philanthropy, with a focus on education, healthcare, Jewish continuity, and cultural enrichment. In 1980, he endowed the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) in memory of his father, helping over 30,000 American students connect with their heritage through immersive study-abroad programs. Today, AMHSI operates under the Jewish National Fund and remains a cornerstone of Jewish educational outreach.
Stephen’s philanthropic reach spanned both coasts and touched thousands of lives. His support included:
• Jewish Federation of Miami
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital
• Muss Park in Miami Beach, in memory of his father
• Bass Museum of Art, in memory of his mother, Gertrude Silverstone Muss
• Mount Sinai Medical Center, with a special dedication to his late wife,
Maureen Haver Muss
• New World Symphony
• Haifa University
• UCSF University of California, San Francisco
• Muss Montessori School
• Temple Emanu-El
His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Friend of Israel Humanitarian Award, Man of the Year by the City of Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, and induction into the Miami Beach Hall of Fame.
Stephen Muss was more than a builder of buildings—he was a builder of dreams, communities, and futures. His legacy lives on in the vibrant city he helped shape, the institutions he uplifted, and the lives he touched with his generosity and vision.
He will be deeply missed, and his memory will forever be remembered and a blessing.
Survived by his longtime partner Amy Jeschawitz; his children, Marilynn Rothstein (Earl), Jeffrey Muss (Joan), Sherry Muss, Heather Muss and Melanie Muss (Tracy); his grandchildren, Michelle Mastin (Brian), Keith Rothstein (Sarah), Hillary Muss Field (Chris), Alexander Muss (Emily), Gaby Wyrick, Alexis Ciment (Yechiel) and Haver Muss-Nichols; his great grandchildren, Rayna, Maggie, Drew, Isaac, Eli, Maureen, Barbara, George, Annie, Isaac, Ashton and Brodie; and his siblings, Cynthia Lawrence (late Norman) and Lauren Muss (John). Pre-deceased by sister Deborah Morgan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Stephen Muss to any of the following 4 charities closest to his heart:
-The Alexander Muss High School in Israel Endowment Fund, https://www.amhsi.org --Mount Sinai Medical Center-Miami Beach, https://www.msmc.com/foundation
-Boston Children's Hospital in memory of Stephen Muss, https://www.childrenshospital.org
-Temple Emanu-El, https://ww.tesobe.org
Service will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 1701 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700.
What’s your fondest memory of Stephen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Stephen?
Share a story where Stephen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Stephen you’ll never forget.
How did Stephen make you smile?
