George G. Rosenfield

George Rosenfield 88 of Coral Gables, adored husband of Estelle for 66 years, passed away at home March 4, 2010 with Estelle by his side. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary and Philip, and sisters, Ilene and Gertrude. George was born in Boston, MA, July 12, 1921. Serving as a First Lieutenant Bombadier in the U.S. 7th Air Force out of England during World War II, he flew 35 successful missions. In 1951, with his wife and two children, George moved to Florida and began a wholesale fishing tackle and hardware business (Tanross Supply Company). Realizing that the optics business had a greater potential, he traveled to Japan to buy optical goods: binoculars, telescopes, microscopes, etc. (the first importer to do so directly) and founded Tasco, which became the world's largest distributor of optics. A true entrepreneur and visionary, he tirelessly traveled the world setting up global distributorships and relationships to bring his optics to more than 60 countries. In 1993, he was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and -- after recovering from surgery -- he and his wife donated a wing to the University of Miami: the Estelle and George Rosenfield Center for Digestive Diseases. Following retirement from Tasco in 1996, he was seen more often around the Biltmore Golf course, where he turned a lifetime hobby into a central passion, loving the game and challenge. A few years later, having suffered with dry eyes and being well-acquainted with the talented and committed staff at the U of M's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, George created the Estelle and George Rosenfield Center for Imaging and Macular Diseases. He was especially proud that, despite his modest upbringing in Boston (his father sold fruit and vegetables from a small store), he was able to create a globally-renowned company and share the fruits of his success with his family and the community in which he lived. He will be remembered as a man who remained positive, even in adversity, and believed anything was possible. He leaves behind a devoted wife of 66 years, loving children, Howard (Jane) and Sheryl (Rita); adoring granddaughters, Annick, Johanna and Susannah; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Edward Myers; and devoted nieces and nephews. Our George so appreciated his family, many close friends and his wonderful doctors, Eugene Sayfie, M.D. and Maria Abreu, M.D at the University of Miami. Funeral services will be 2PM Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Riverside-Gordon Chapel at Mt. Nebo Kendall, 5900 S.W. 77th Avenue, Miami. Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, suggested donations may be made to the University of Miami Estelle and George Rosenfield Center for Digestive Diseases, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care of David C. Gross Funeral Homes (David & Pati Myers-Gross), St. Petersburg. Service Information