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Hirsch 'Loved By Many'

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

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 2, 2008

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

Hirsch had been at St. Joseph's Hospital for a few days, and "his heart gave out," son Andrew Hirsch said Saturday.

A Tampa resident for 50 years, Les Hirsch became a stockbroker in 1960 and 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," Fernandez said, adding that 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 for the city's first Super Bowl in 1984.

"He was an honorable giant of a man," Andrew Hirsch said. "He was loved by many and respected by all."

In addition to Andrew Hirsch, he is survived by his wife, Gail; son Rabbi David Hirsch of Jerusalem; daughter Beth Hirsch of Los Angeles; and six grandchildren.

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

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