Monroe Udell

Monroe Udell, of Hollywood Beach, Florida passed away at his home on Sunday, June 1, 2014. He was 86. Dania Beach has lost a special friend, a favorite son and the legendary founder of Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant and a local Philanthropist. Born in Stamford, Connecticut on February 24, 1928, son of Harry and Ethel Udell. Monroe and his brother, the late Bernie Udell were raised in Stamford, Connecticut. The family owned several restaurants and it was there that Monroe learned the business, working in them even as a child. Harry brought his family to Florida in 1947, settleling in Hollywood where he opened his diner, Harry's Good Food on Johnson Street. 1956 was a pivotal year for Monroe. He married Corrine Ann DeLuca and opened his own restaurant; Jaxson's, beginning an epoch, that continues to endure into its 58th year. Monroe is gone, but not the legend, nor the traditions. The iconic Jaxson's founder made sure of that. His daughter, Linda Zakheim will assume ownership of her father's beloved Jaxons's. Working with her management team led by Jerry Smith, Zakheim will continue running Jaxson's just as he would, following his philosophy of, "Do whatever you have to do to make it happen". Some of his accolades include Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor Day and Monroe Udell Day. He was recognized by President Barack Obama in his Radio Address for voluntarily raising his employees' minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant Appreciation Day and Top 5 Best Ice Cream Shops in Miami. In 2010 he was honored by the city of Dania Beach by having a street named after him "Monroe Udell Street". A longtime fundraiser and contributor to local hospitals, in 2006, the 50th anniversary of Jaxons's, he raised over $30,000 for Joe DiMaggio Children's' Hospital in Hollywood, benefitting its pediatric emergency Treatment Room. The walls featuring colorful ice cream scoops in cones bring smiles where there were tears. Survivors include his daughter, Linda and her husband, Scott Zakheim, his son, Mark Udell, grandchildren Rachel and Josh Zakheim, nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service at Temple Kol Ami Emanu-el, 8200 Peters Road in Plantation, Florida,33024 on Tuesday, June 3rd at 11:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Hollywood Memorial Gardens Cemetery (Star of David) 6301 Taft Street in Hollywood. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Monroe Udell may be made to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, 1150 North 35th Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33021. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.fredhunters.com