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Les Hirsch, An Icon In Tampa's Brokerage Industry, Dies at 75

Tribune file photo by CANDACE C. MUNDY

Les Hirsch was chairman of the Tampa Sports Authority in 1984 when the Super Bowl was held in the city for the first time.

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TBO.com

Published: November 1, 2008

TAMPA - Les Hirsch, an institution in Tampa's brokerage industry and head of the Tampa Sports Authority when Tampa hosted its first Super Bowl, died Friday. He was 75.

A Tampa resident for 50 years, Hirsch became a stockbroker in 1960 and eventually ran offices for E.F. Hutton, L.F. Rothschild, Drexel Burnham and George K. Baum and Co. He joined Robert W. Baird & Co. in 1993. He hired dozens of stockbrokers over the years, many of whom still practice in the area.

One of those was Rudy Fernandez, whom Hirsch hired at E.F. Hutton in 1982. Fernandez described Hirsch as "always upbeat, with a very sharp mind.''

"He was a mentor, inspiration and a role model to scores of his employees,'' said Fernandez, who said Hirsch was largely responsible for his decision to run for City Council in 1991. Fernandez won that race, with Hirsch on his campaign staff, and served two terms.

Hirsch enjoyed politics and was appointed to the Tampa Port Authority in the late 1970s. He was chairman of the Tampa Sports Authority in 1984 when the Super Bowl was held in the city for the first time.

Survivors include his wife, Gail; two sons, Rabbi David Hirsch and his wife, Margot, of Jerusalem, and Andrew Hirsch and his wife, Tricia, of Tampa; and his daughter, Beth Hirsch of Los Angeles, Calif; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at 4:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Congregation Schaarai Zedek, 3303 W. Swann Ave., Tampa.

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