Barton Samuel Udell

Barton S. Udell passed away on January 12, 2025. Born on August 18, 1933 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Russian immigrant parents, Barton (Bart) or Buddy, as he was affectionately known, was a resident of South Florida since the 1950s and active in the community and the legal profession. Above all else, Barton was devoted to friends and family. He died at 91 after keeping pancreatic cancer at bay for more than two years.

Barton’s early years were shaped by his family, including his much older brother Larry, who he credited with having helped to raise him. Before moving to Miami Beach, Barton lived in Delaware where his family had built a poultry business that supplied the army, but where he encountered anti-semitism — an experience that sensitized him to the plight of others and informed his lifelong commitment to Judaism. Along with his brother, Barton helped run GulfStream Seafood, an innovative family business, selling frozen fish to local, regional, and national markets. Bart was an extraordinary student, graduating from Miami Beach High and then attending Dartmouth College before transferring to University of Miami, where he won honors and became a national debate champion. While in college, he married Marilyn Fishman, and they had two children, David and Richard Udell.

Barton was a very proud Veteran of the U.S. Army, having joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps in college, rising to the role of Lieutenant in the Artillery Corps and Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Barton completed his law degree at the University of Miami, graduating summa cum laude and enjoyed a distinguished career as an attorney in South Florida, specializing in transactional law, real estate law and international tax law. Barton was an especially dedicated civic leader, serving the community in many roles, including President of the American Jewish Committee and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, President of Temple Beth Am, and Member of the Executive Committee of the Cuban-American National Council.

In 1981, Barton married Barbara Weiner and together they formed an inspiring partnership. The couple wove together their respective families, sharing their love for their children, their 11 grandchildren and, in recent years, their three great-grandchildren. Barton supported Barbara’s public speaking career as they traveled the world on various cruise lines, helping with the research and writing for Barbara’s engaging presentations.

Barton enriched the lives of all who knew him. He was an intellectual who was constantly curious about people and the world, and always kind of heart. He was also a gifted raconteur fond of telling stories, reciting jokes, sharing poetry, and taking great pleasure in conversation with one and all. Barton leaves behind a vibrant legacy of intelligence, love, humor, dedication to family, along with a life-defining commitment to the importance of Jewish community and Jewish ideals.

Barton loved generously and is deeply cherished by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Barbara Udell; David Udell, his wife Alice Blank, and their daughter Julia; Richard Udell, his wife Sandra Roland, and their children, Isabel, Gabriel, and Rachel; Dawne Ellison, her husband, Douglas Ellison, and their children, Elizabeth, Nora (Ronen Pessar), and Jacob, as well as Nora’s children, Lev, Lielle, and Liana; Jodie Weiner and her daughter, Jessica; Michelle Olefson and her children, Jason, Julia, and Jenna; and sister-in-law Iris Pfeifer (“Cookie”).

There will be a graveside service at 1pm on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Mount Nebo Miami, Memorial Gardens, 5505 NW 3rd Street, Miami, Florida, 33126. Donations may be made to American Jewish Committee or Sylvester Cancer Center. Shiva will follow the service.