"I am so sorry to hear of his passing! I left South Florida 7 years ago and don't really keep up with news there. I only met him once but that encounter will stay with me forever! Wayne was the nicest most humble "billionaire" I've ever met!! RIP WAYNE"
In loving memory of
H. Wayne Huizenga
December 29, 1937 - March 22, 2018
H. Wayne Huizenga, entrepreneur, business leader, philanthropist and beloved patriarch of the Huizenga family has passed on to be with his Heavenly Father. He was 80 years old. Mr. Huizenga was a humble man who always wanted to simply be known as "Wayne". Whether you were a Fortune 100 CEO or the valet at the front door, he treated everybody with the same respect and friendliness. As a long time Fort Lauderdale resident, he played a major role in the business and social growth of our community.
Wayne was born in the Chicago area on December 29, 1937. He moved to Fort Lauderdale as a young man and attended High School at Pine Crest School. He fell in love with Fort Lauderdale and made it his permanent home; raising his family and building multiple businesses in the place he called "Home". He passed in his house on the New River surrounded by family after a decades long battle with cancer. Wayne is survived by his four children; Wayne Jr., Pamela, Scott and Ray and his 11 grandchildren, Savannah, Tres, Gerritt, Ainsley, Jacob, Shelby, Chloe, Matthew, Hanah, Josh and Gabriella, his sister Bonnie, his niece Holly Bodenweber, his nephew Steven Hudson and his brother-in-law Whit Hudson. His beloved wife Marti pre-deceased him in January 2017.
Throughout his professional career Wayne never forgot his beloved Fort Lauderdale. He headquartered his companies there recruiting the best and brightest to join him and, in the process, created thousands of jobs. He actively engaged in community leadership and encouraged his employees to do so as well, and together with his wife Marti donated well over $150 million to local causes. Wayne was known for his quick sense of humor (he loved a good joke), infectious laugh, kindness to all and for his selflessness. He always wanted to make sure everyone had a good time
Wayne began his remarkable business career with the purchase of a single garbage truck in 1962. He built a thriving business which lead to his co-founding Waste Management ("WMI") in 1971. By 1981 WMI was the largest waste company in the world. He "retired" from WMI and soon formed what became Huizenga Holdings ("HHI"). Over the ensuing years he began purchasing a series of service companies in South Florida. His next big venture however was Blockbuster which he discovered in 1987. He headquartered Blockbuster in Fort Lauderdale and over the next seven years he created thousands of jobs while growing the company from 19 stores to over 3,700 in 11 countries. WMI and Blockbuster both became Fortune 500 companies listed on the NYSE.
After selling Blockbuster in 1994, and generating attractive returns for the shareholders, Wayne acquired control of Republic Waste Industries (which became Republic Services), a small regional garbage company in Atlanta Georgia, in 1995. He quickly relocated the company to Fort Lauderdale and grew it into the third largest waste disposal company in the U.S. In a 13-month period Wayne became Chairman of four NYSE companies: Republic Services, AutoNation, Extended Stay America and the Florida Panthers (which later became Boca Resorts). During this same time, he was Owner and Chairman of the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins and Florida Panthers.
Wayne was the only person in history to take six Companies to the NYSE; lead three Fortune 500 companies and own 3 major league sports franchisees at the same time. Wayne's achievements and generosity were widely recognized. He was honored by the Horatio Alger Association, named "World Entrepreneur of the Year" by Ernst & Young and named "Man of the Centennial" for Fort Lauderdale's 100th Anniversary, among many others. He also took the lead in creating of the Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. Wayne demonstrated that where innovation and leadership converge, it can be the spark for achievement in the global marketplace.
A memorial service will be held at the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Performing Arts Center promptly at 10:00 AM on Thursday morning March 29th. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cleveland Clinic of Florida Maroone Cancer Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Junior Achievement of South Florida and/or the Nova Southeastern University H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship Scholarship Fund.
Tributes
"I Had the great pleasure of meeting Mr. Huizenga back in 1996. Wayne was exiting the Florida Panthers practice facility in Pompano Beach and I happened to be the only person there and I asked Wayne if I could get my picture taken with him and he said sure,no problem. I still have the picture to this day 22 years later. Wayne was a very nice person and I know he will be missed. Meeting Mr. Huizenga that day was a day I will never forget. Rest in Peace Wayne. Brad Dunbar Pompano Beach. "
"Mr Wayne Huizenga will not only be remember by the his wealth but above all for his kindness...He has touched so many lives in so many ways including mine. Always greeting everyone with a smile and a hug ,making all of us feel like family, treating everyone with kindness and respect. My deepest condolences to Wayne Jr, Pam ,Scott and family ,including the grandchildren .Some of his grandchildren I had the privilege to care for and love . God has Mr Huizenga by his side now, celebrating his new life in heaven for all his kindness in this earth, touching and making positive changes and blessing so many lives.. Clarice Lopez"
"My sincere condolences to Wayne's children and friends. My name is Neal Barronton, Marietta, GA. Wayne and I were almost exactly the same age; I was born in October and Wayne was born in December, 1937. I had a 32 year career in finance and management with Cox Cable Communications, the cable tv arm of Cox Enterprises, Atlanta, GA. In 1985-86, I became aware of the burgeoning video tape rental industry. I saw one of the first franchised Blockbusters near my home in Marietta. There were about 19 Blockbusters in existence at that time but I could see the potential. I convinced my company to let me go to Dallas to investigate further and to meet with David Cook, the original creator of the Blockbuster concept, look and supporting computer infrastructure. I was impressed by David and the potential.' During a second visit to Dallas, I was meeting with David and some of his people. The first time I laid eyes on Wayne, he and John Melk swept past the conference room door where we were meeting that day and the rest is business history..Wayne moved quickly to invest in Blockbuster and to do an extraordinary job of building it into the major company it became. Later on, in 1989, we did secure an agreement to develop 100 stores up and down the East Coast and that is when I got to know Wayne on a personal basis in Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale and on his personal jet. I was alone with him only about four times but I really came to appreciate those things about him which so many have mentioned. I always had his undivided attention and what I would like to leave you with is that I really just throughly enjoyed being around him. A short while ago, I saw a picture of Wayne as a very young guy in jeans, a white tee shirt and black loafers standing beside the rear fender of his car. It is identical to one of myself at the same age. I had the thought to call Wayne in Ft. Lauderdale to see if I could journey down to show him the picture and just to spend some personal time with him. I have no doubt that he would have said come on down. The lesson is to not delay. I'm sorry for your loss. He was an extraordinary human being. "
"You will be missed Mr H. Awesome man .spent a lot of time Huizenga family. GOD BLESS MR H. AND FAMILY. CAPT BOB ROSELL ANDFAMILY."
"Thanks to Wayne Huizenga for all he brought to us through his philanthropy , patriotism, business acumen, university and sports development, and so much more. He was always personable and available to fans and friends alike and will be missed by many. My heartfelt sympathy to his family."
"Wayne was a great leader who inspired and empowered his companies, teams, employees and friends to deliver excellence beyond expectations, and was always gracious and generous with everyone."
"A true "giant among men!" R.I.P. Stan Levin"
"I was sadden to hear of your loss. I am sorry that I did not get to personally thank Mr. Huizenga for the scholarship I received from him which helped me to continue my education. It was always my intention to do so after graduation. Today I am less than a year from graduating medical school. To his wife Marti and family my prayers are with you. May his good deeds continues on and his name never dies. May his soul rest in peace. He was a good man. From Midian Ambo. Port St. Lucie FL."
"The Mr. H. I knew. When I read the news of Mr. Huizenga's death, I had to just stop and think of the enormous impact he had on the community I know, and on me. No, I could barely call him friend, we didn't travel in the same circles, but when we did meet you would never know it. Mr. H was a regular attender of The Fort Lauderdale Christmas Pageant and was so gracious to say, "Mac, I appreciate your contribution as narrator of this amazing presentation." When my fulltime drama ministry began a friend and financial supporter told me, "Call Wayne, he might be interested in supporting you too." Really? Me call Mr. Huizenga? I don't think so. But I had no choice. I called and spoke briefly with his efficient personal assistant and mentioned the purpose of my call. She too was gracious, "Mac I will be sure to give Mr. Huizenga your message, and we all enjoyed the show last night." Last night? Hello, maybe this was a good idea. In less than five minutes she called me back to see if I could speak with Mr. H. This was a no brainer. Of course. Mr. H. started with, "Mac, so good to speak with you. What a wonderful performance last night, What can I do for you?" I'm sure I was less than professional and blathered something pretty dumb, but managed to tell him about my drama ministry, and Mr. H. simple said, "Well that sounds great and I'd like to help. And you keep in touch, you hear." Yes he did indeed help generously through the years. And, yes I did keep in touch, at least every year at the pageant, and once asked up to his office to bring him up to date. At no time did I feel like and intruder or underclass. That's the Mr. H. I knew. A gentleman, gracious to many and to me. Thank you Huizenga family for the many blessings. "