Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Boca PR expert Barry Epstein, 76
Longtime Boca Raton public relations man Barry Epstein, who started a political club, wrote theater reviews, a gossipy column and a blog, and had his own internet TV show, has died.
He was 76.
Epstein died Wednesday in Heartland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center Boca Raton.
A service his family describes as “appropriate for a person as colorful and vibrant as Barry,” will be held at noon Thursday at Star of David, 7701 Bailey Road, North Lauderdale.
In his early career, Epstein headed the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
But once he started his own PR, marketing and political consulting firm in 1979 in his name, he was off and running.
“He knew every event going on in town and he had to be there,” said Howard Appell, publisher of Today’s Restaurant trade publication, who knew Epstein for 22 years. “He tried to be everywhere.
“He loved entertainment and politics and he loved networking and putting people together,” said Appell, who succeeded Epstein as president of Gold Coast Tiger Bay, a popular political speakers’ club Epstein founded.
His extensive contacts allowed him to bring in speakers from Trump associate Roger Stone, to former TV personalities Nancy Grace and Susan Candiotti.
He’s pictured on the club’s website with Rudy Guiliani.
Epstein became a presence, wherever he touched down.
The organizations he founded or headed ranged from Derail the Bullet Train to West Boca Leaders and Gold Coast Public Relations Council.
Among his appointments were the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission, American Jewish Committee Governance Committee.
He was founding president of the Parkland Chamber of Commerce and served on the Loggers Run Master Homeowners Board of Governors.
Born in New York, Epstein graduated from Kent State University.
In the past few years, “medical problems slowed him down, but he was involved mentally,” said Appell.
He is survived by his wife, Joanne Epstein, his son, Jaret Epstein, brothers Ira and Lenny Epstein and two grandsons.