David Alan Stein

STEIN David A. Stein , 85, passed away July 27, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida where he spent his entire life. David was devoted to his family, friends and community and was deeply loved by them. He left an indelible impression on countless individuals, organizations and his community.

Most people knew David Stein as an entrepreneur, a business owner and a philanthropist. Those who knew him well know he was a Jacksonville native, a ‘hometown boy’ who delighted in saying he lived in the same ZIP code his entire life.

The youngest of three boys, David was born on December 10, 1938, in Jacksonville to Ben and Ruth Stein. As a teen, he worked in his father’s Burger King restaurant—the original one on Beach Boulevard—and graduated from Landon High School. He attended the University of Florida but returned to Jacksonville before graduation to join the family business.

David quickly mastered the Burger King operation. Eventually, he was named chairman and CEO of Southern Industrial Corporation, the original franchisor of all Jacksonville-area Burger King restaurants, and he founded and served as chairman of King Provision Corporation, serving Burger King restaurants throughout the Southeastern U.S. Later, he co-founded T.L. Cannon Companies with Matthew Fairbairn, and became chairman. T. L. Cannon Companies operates Applebee Restaurants in NY State and Connecticut. David also served on the board of directors of Monster Worldwide, Inc. while it was a public company.

But David was not content to be a highly successful businessperson. He took to heart the Jewish values he learned from his father and strove to emulate his examples of community leadership, giving back and making a difference in the community. In fact, he often said he wanted those very words engraved on his tombstone: “HE MADE A DIFFERENCE.” This is what he wanted for his legacy.

David was blessed to have the love and support of his wonderful wife, Linda Berry Stein, who was always by his side through all his endeavors, providing unwavering love and encouragement. She was a true partner and shared David’s dedication to community and philanthropy.

He was particularly proud of his role in the creation of the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA) (jcajax.org) The Greenwood School (greenwoodjax.org), and the Stein Scholars as well as the continuation of his family’s support of River Garden (rivergarden.org).

He and Linda were passionate supporters of education, with a special talent of sponsoring and mentoring students—fondly known as ‘Steiners’-- at both the University of North Florida (unf.edu) and Jacksonville University (ju.edu). To underscore their desire to build future leaders, David and Linda created the Stein Fellowship at the United Way of Northeast Florida.

His gift to LJD Jewish Family and Community Services resulted in the Allison Stein Robbins building, named for his late daughter, which houses the Max Block Food Pantry. Other beneficiaries of his generosity include Congregation Ahavath Chesed, the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida, and the Jewish National Fund. Important institutions that enhance the quality of life in Jacksonville also received support, including the Jacksonville Humane Society, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Mayo Clinic, the (then) Florida Community College at Jacksonville, the Quality Education for All Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, The ARC Jacksonville supporting the ARC Village, the North Florida School for Special Education, Hope Haven, KIPP, Guardian Catholic Schools, Leadership Jacksonville, Cathedral Arts Project and the Jacksonville Symphony.

For his efforts, David received many honors, including the highest awards given by One Jax, Leadership Jacksonville, First Coast Business Hall of Fame and the Jewish National Fund. In 2021, he and Linda received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Fundraising Professionals/North Florida Chapter.

For all David’s accomplishments, perhaps he will be most remembered for his hearty embrace of life and all that it had to offer. He lit up every room he entered with his warmth, laughter, jokes and ‘David-isms’. His energy was boundless, and he shared his heart and his passions with every person he met. His strongest desire was to make the world, and especially Jacksonville, a better place, and he was determined to have as much fun as possible along the way.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Ruth Stein; brothers, Albert Stein and Martin E. Stein, Sr.; and daughter, Allison Robbins. He is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Linda Berry Stein; daughter, Tracey Stein Westbrook; grandsons, David Robbins (Vanessa) and Cole Stein Westbrook; and great-granddaughter Katie Robbins. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Joan Newton and Marilyn Stein; brother-in-law Kenneth Berry (Lynn); sister-in-law Catherine Berry; beloved nephews and nieces, Martin E. Stein, Jr.(Brooke), Richard Stein (Rebecca), Robert Stein (Polly), Daniel Stein, Donna McNett Stein, Ruth Stein, Benjamin Berry (Jason) and James Berry (Ashley).

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30am on August 1, 2024, at Temple Ahavath Chesed (8727 San Jose Blvd) with a reception immediately afterwards at the JCA (8505 San Jose Blvd). In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory would be gratefully accepted by any of the organizations he supported in his lifetime.