Alan Barnett Chepenik

Alan Barnett Chepenik was a true son of Jacksonville. His parents, Meyer and Esther Chepenik (both of blessed memory), were married at Congregation Ahavath Chesed on June 30, 1935. Alan was born five and a half years later on February 11, 1941 in St. Vincents Hospital in Riverside. Four years later heralded the arrival of a baby brother, Stephen (of blessed memory), who completed the nuclear family, but, because Alan’s father had seven siblings and his mother also had seven siblings, most of whom lived in Jacksonville by this time, Alan was surrounded by a rich tapestry of aunts, uncles and cousins. After high school at Landon High, where he was a 4-year basketball letterman, Alan left for the University of Florida in September 1959. At UF, Alan met the love of his life, Lois (née Homans), in 1962, and, after Alan earned a B.A. and an advanced degree in accountancy, the two were married in Savannah, GA on July 4, 1965. Alan then began his career in a public accounting firm in Fort Lauderdale, Haskins & Sells, predecessor to Deloitte LLP. After the birth of his son, Bart, on June 19, 1968, Alan heeded the call to return to Jacksonville and his family’s business, N. Chepenik & Sons, a wholesale produce company located at 300 West Bay Street, as its chief financial officer. Shortly thereafter, Alan and Lois’ family was complete with the birth of their daughter, Jana, on July 27, 1971. Professionally, Alan worked for Jacksonville-based companies, Atlantic Discount and Movsovitz & Sons, throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s until he formed Benoit, Chepenik & Benoit, a financial planning firm, in 1997, where he worked until his retirement in 2019. Alan was, above all, a sweet-natured, loyal and loving son, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Alan, who passed away on September 19, 2023, is survived by his wife, Lois, children, Bart Chepenik (Myra Spindel), Jana Zager (Joshua Zager), and grandchildren, Molly Chepenik, Leah Chepenik, Liv Chepenik, Nathan Zager, and Lily Zager.

Funeral services will be held at The Jacksonville Jewish Center, where Alan was a member his entire life, on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 10:00 am, with a graveside interment to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, King David section, 4300 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Special thank you to the nurses, CNAs and staff at River Garden for their excellent care. Donations may be made to The Jacksonville Jewish Center or River Garden.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GreenlawnJacksonville.com for the Chepenik family.