Saccenti: Don used to come and see me when I was hurt, one of those You need anything let me know, kinda things. Brown: Hed fuck your wife in a second. [But] he was home every night. Brown: Don was so reckless with shit like that. Made quite a lot of money on it in spring of 1964. Don and I had had a meeting to discuss my salary. But in the end the investigation led to a hired gun. On Tuesday, Smith, the retired detective, called Aronows widow, Lillian, to break the news. At the time, Saccenti was recovering from a horrific crash on Lake Erie. In the boating world, we wont see the likes of Don Aronow again.. He designed, built and raced the famous Magnum Marine, Cary, Cigarette, Donzi and Formula speedboats. [1] He graduated a top athlete from James Madison High School in 1944,[1] worked as a life guard at Coney Island, and enrolled at Brooklyn College. Then he bought a parcel of land immediately west of them and built the Magnum building. That was just his personality.. "I got bored with it," he explains. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue. Performance boats attract a lot of characters. One of those characters was a racing boat driver and drug smuggler called Ben Kramer. A kid was going to start a boat company in Florida, he had bought a boat in California, and he asked Aronow and me to drive it and see if it was any good. Youre a businessman, too. It was all downhill from there. Young died in prison in 2009 after steadfastly refusing for years to testify against Kramer. Semi-blind, he was forced to wear heavy-rimmed and thick-lensed glasses that were always a worry when he played. A certain Ben Kramer, who came from a seemingly good home on the Intracoastal Waterway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, started smoking pot at school and began selling it. He retired and moved to Florida 10 years later -- a millionaire in his early 30's, his fortune spawned by the thousands of tract homes Aronow had built and sold throughout northern New Jersey. During the day were asked to patrol their race course during events for emergency rescues, a Coast Guard official told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved. Bush, right, was a close friend who initially threw his weight behind the murder investigation. Don Aronow is a proud man; proud of the way he's survived. The narrow street itself dead-ended to the east, requiring visitors to turn around to exit westbound. Around one-third of the regions murders were believed to be related to drugs. And he never would backpedal later or change things. Audiences grew. That was the cast of characters he was involved with. We could see all the gunshots., Allan Brown He was murdered right out in front of my office, halfway betweenSaccentis building and my building. He went to 188th Street in Miami and decided he wanted to put a plant there. WebClaudia is a New York artist and ex-wife of real estate developer Martin Kimmel. The beginning of the film tells the tale of Don, who relocates to Miami in order to win every prize. On February 3, 1987, Aronow was murdered in his car at the end of 188th Street in North Miami Beach where his boat companies operated. "I got into ocean powerboat racing after I retired to Florida," he says. WebAronow married twice. "It won big," Aronow says. The weather was cold and he was getting ulcers and he said, I cant do this anymore. Most of the guys ran stock boats. From being a huge success in the construction industry, he went on the being a legend as a powerboat designer and racer. WebProfile of Don Aronow murder on TV show Expose hosted by Tom Brokaw One of Don Aronow's race horses has just finished first. "These guys earned their money," Aronow says. His company, Bertram Yacht, drew worldwide attention. Hes pointing out the door and there was Don in his car, the engine is screaming, hes slumped over the steering wheel. Innovations such as fibreglass construction techniques and the drag-reducing deep V hull were taking chunks from the record times, and also from crews in rough seas. He later got married to Lillian Crawford, a model for Wilhelmina who was 24 years younger than he was. He had bought a boat in California and he asked Aronow and me to drive it and see if it was any good. WebAronow married twice. Don Aronow, powerboat racing champion and founder of Magnum, Cigarette and Donzi, continues to fascinate as doeshismysterious death,discovers Daniel Pembrey. With his father, he also founded Fort Apache Marina on the Row, comprising a boat storage facility, waterfront restaurant and patio bar. Members of the Bee Gees were neighbours on both sides. Dream Symphony: Inside the 10-year build of the world's biggest sailing yacht. Collecting his children from summer camp, and not returning to the family home, the 34 year-old arrived in Florida with a $2 million retirement fund. You had to be able to match. The business was established in 1953 and immediately became one of the biggest construction firms in the region. Congregating witnesses spoke of a dark Lincoln Continental having pulled up alongside Aronows white Mercedes. They were fast (more than 112km/h), good for interdiction activities (stable when boarding intercepted boats) and comparatively easy to drive. The rest of NE 188th Street is covered with blocks of expensive condos promising comfortable waterside living. The Miami moto king launched Magnum Marine the next year, in 1967. His first boat was made of wood and broke apart. That was on my to-do list: Deal with Baby Doc. This sum, Aronow did not return. [On the afternoon of February 3, 1987, a man claiming to be Jerry Jacoby walked into Aronows Thunderboat Row office exhibiting strange behavior; inquiring about a 60-foot boat and alluding to a mysterious man that he worked forand who he would kill for if need be. If the real motive for Aronows murder was him turning informant, surely others (on the wrong side of the law) were potential suspects, too? An estimated 70 per cent of all marijuana and cocaine imported into the US passes through South Florida, the feature reported. Five days after his murder, The Washington Post reported that a Customs official described Aronow as co-operative when Aronow had been approached for information about one of his clients. It cost Aronow a fortune to divorce his wife Shirley in 1979. Don Aronow: (frowning) You mean back when I was a kid? Members of the Bee Gees were neighbours on both sides. He has just cashed in six-figures worth of winning tickets. Don did not enjoy boating. It was from here the hit man opened fire, three bullets striking the powerboat star. I just did you a favour., Michael Peters [upon hearing Browns story] Im from California, I hope that storys not about me!, Bob Saccenti I think there were over 100 suspects when they finally killed him., Michael Peters It could have been anyone, from drug runners to business partners to jealous husbands.. I told my secretary to call 911. The chaotic crime scene confronting police detectives was mysterious, not least because of the geography. Some men had told his father that he'd lost it. They pulled him out, he was pale, he had gone unconscious at some point. Included in the settlement was $1.25 million in cash, a million-dollar Miami waterfront home and a Rolls-Royce. About his second son, David, nothing is known. The movie sequences accurately depicted his wealth, which was real. WebI think it was at this point that Don discovered that he was Jewish. It was the time of the sexual revolution, and his popularity with women was almost as legendary as his boating exploits, although some women were more circumspect. His boats won over 350 offshore races, two world championships, and three U.S. championships as his career grew. Aronow doesn't care if all these retired furniture makers and machine tool executives are little more than middle-aged adolescents flaunting their masculinity on a Sunday afternoon -- tooling around the docks of some Intracoastal bar like Shooters, feeling terribly macho-nautical doing 30 knots in a $125,000 Cigarette Aronow built to run all day at 60 knots in hull- hammering six foot seas. This is his story in the words of some of the men who knew him best. It was a big building and obscured the Donzi plant you couldnt see [Donzi] from Highway 1 anymore! How Did He Die? He was a great dad and a great husband. They become friends and Johnson told my father about the Miami-Nassau race, which my father became really interested in. On the afternoon of February 3, 1987, a man claiming to be Jerry Jacoby walked into Aronows Thunderboat Row office exhibiting strange behaviour. I went over there and he had holes all over him. "A stunning blonde. And hes bellowing, trying to say something. Those two managed to make you feel like you were the centre of their world. Or man, his brother Robin added. He wears khaki slacks to work-tieless and sockless-as he cuts six-figure boat deals with a young Italian count one minute, and talks rpm's with a greasy race mechanic the next. During his quarter-century-long reign as the undisputed king of Thunderboat Row, Aronow was a lot of different things to a lot of different people. But nothing compares with the go-fast scenes of the 1960s, 1970s and climatic 1980s. The guy would say, I want a 28. And Aronow would say, Oh no, were all sold out. And the guy would keep pushing, I wanted one all my life. And Don would say, We dont have any 28s, but Im building a 35 for myself and I could sell that to you. That was classic Aronow., Allan Brown Every boat he sold was built for himself. Furthermore, there were witnesses plenty of them, if not always consistent in the details they shared with police. Australia, DEAN OF THE DEEP | TIM DEAN ABOARD HIS 47FT OBRIEN, FULL SEND MODE CLAYTON MCDIARMIDS MINT HAINES HUNTER V17. "It was a pretty informal thing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Youre a businessman too. In Speed Kills, the story of Ben Aronoff is based on the life of Donald Aranow, who built speedboats and raced them. He was the type of guy that if he liked you, he loved you. Ive met some extremely charismatic men, including Sean Connery and Roger Moore, she said. I was like, do I really want to move down there? At the east end of the street is now the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center; further east, across Biscayne Bay, on oceanside Sunny Isles Beach, stands the Porsche Design Tower. They just dont make em like Don Aronow anymore. Certainly it is less difficult now to see how, in 1980s Miami, the murder of a man as magnetic as Aronow could garner 140 suspects at the Metro-Dade Police Department, each with the apparent motive, means and opportunity to have the King of Thunderboat Row gunned down in broad daylight. "It's being able to deliver when it counts.". Leaving his office that afternoon, Aronow was making for his North Bay Road residence, a 1929 Spanish-style waterfront mansion undergoing renovations, 30 minutes drive away. Retired President Lyndon B. Johnson owned several 16ft. Donzi speedboats on his Texas ranch with which he would race his Secret Service agents. Some people say he was hiding from the mob. Some people say he was hiding from the mob. [2] In 1947, he returned to the USA and completed his studies graduating from Brooklyn College in 1948 with a physical education degree[1] earning letters in football, wrestling, and track. Also read:Queen Elizabeth II: Death And Obituary What Happened To Her? by The Captain | Oct 12, 2021 | Articles | 0 comments. He was right out of a Hollywood script. Being a multimillionaire and accomplished speedboat racing champion, he frequently ran afoul of the law and numerous drug lords in the water metropolis. The boat coasted in fourth. Aronow: Forrest Johnson was originally his fishing buddy. Everyone who knew him has a story to tell. However when the Customs Service found out about the younger Kramers criminal reputation, they put the kibosh on the transaction.]. We considered Formula to be a utility boat. Celebrated yacht designer Michael Peters, who went to work for Aronow the day before he died, said, He was an asshole, but he was my asshole a benefactor for whom Ill always be grateful., On 3 February 1987, Peters was aged 34 and among the last people to speak with Aronow at the office of USA Racing Team, the latest of Aronows boat firms. Don was a native of New York who, through to his financial savvy and driving prowess, eventually came to command the Miami waterways. Half out of his car, Aronow lay slumped, crimson blooming across his shirt. Only Magnum and a marina (not Fort Apache) are still here. The more problematic aspect was that Aronow additionally arranged to sell USA Racing Team, complete with the Blue Thunder contract, to Ben Kramer, who by now had drug smuggling convictions. "Sure a lot of older men have bought my race boats to drive up and down the Intracoastal on weekends," Don Aronow admits. George H.W. Having made a fortune in the construction business in New Jersey, building homes and shopping centres, Aronow hastily relocated to Florida in 1961. Meet His Family, Ben Aronoff Net Worth Figures In The Movie. And the guy would say, I want a 28. And Aronow would say Oh no, were all sold out. And the guy would keep pushing, Oh, I wanted one all my life. Aronow was murdered in his car at the end of 188th Street in North Miami Beach on February 3, 1987. In 1948, he married Shirley Goldin [1] [6] who he had met while working as a lifeguard on Coney Island. He had a brown Rolls-Royce and [race] horses., Bob Saccenti He used to say youre never gonna make a lot of money building boats you make a living doing that. At 57, he is a lean and muscular six-foot-two. Besides the states weak case, there were other, more fundamental doubts over whether Kramer had arranged to have Aronow shot. He flourished as an entrepreneur during his upswing in motorsports and the automotive industry, setting himself apart from others. Credit: Courtesy of Arthur Jay Harris. Allan Brownie Brown is a former acquaintance. A guy comes in with the money and you build a boat for them and you never know. (Captains note: more about Dons, er, appetites, later.) WebProfile of Don Aronow murder on TV show Expose hosted by Tom Brokaw "I'd never be married to a beautiful woman like Lillian if I hauled garbage for a living," Aronow adds. Emblematic of both the American dream and a particularly magnetic kind of American masculinity, Aronow was a frontiersman, a real-life Marlboro Man and a fearless racer. Saccenti: I think there were over 100 suspects when they finally killed him. Michael, his oldest son, was one of the best athletes at the University of Florida. Peters: Aronow looked the part. The Lincoln drove over the grass to get away. Aronow agreed to buy USA Racing Team back from Kramer, equally predictably for less than the consideration hed received. When you shook his hand that was the deal. His face flushed with excitement, Don Aronow launches into another one of his stories. Radios blared out the hits of the day. By the end of 1962, Don had founded the Formula Marine boat company as a specialized moto boat business, which he ultimately sold to Alliance Machine Corp. of Merrick Lewis. Michael plays the role of Andrew in the movie Speed Kills. There are about 70 people out there who think they have a boat Don built for himself!, Michael Aronow By 1966, my dad had sold Donzi to Teleflex. He was right out of a Hollywood script. Back in 1981, Time quoted a legal researcher living in Miami as saying: I see people walking down the streets openly carrying guns, some in their hands, others in their holsters. Aronow: After the 62 race my father started to work with Jim Wynne and Walt Walters. Despite being pursued, the murderers managed to escape by driving across the grass. Speculation about who the killer might be ran from jilted lovers to jealous husbands to Meyer Lansky to the CIA. Aronow said, Let me see. Then he took the watch by the clasp, banged it on the table and threw it in a glass of beer. You make a living doing that. (ABOVE) TICKET TO RIDE: Don Aronow and his son, Michael, cruising off Miami with the Beatles before their iconic 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan show. And Don would say, Yeah we dont have any 28s, but Im building a 35 for myself and I could sell that to you. That was classic Aronow. But he could tell something terrible had happened. Of the World's most recognized racing boat companies, Don Aronow established five; Donzi, Formula, Magnum, Cigarette and Don Aronow has actually been married twice in his life. Guys wanted to be him. Hed knock you right down., Allan Brown Don was so reckless with shit like that. According to Dons Wikipedia page, he was slain on February 3, 1987, while driving towards his boat firms North Miami Beach headquarters at the end of 188th Street. The bosss wife would lean over my drafting table with her ample bosom and say, Remember, think sex.. Peters: I had gone through a divorce and it was terrible times. In his spare time, he built speedboats for the Shah of Iran and American presidents George Bush Sr and Lyndon Johnson, among others and he hung out with the Beatles. His mother and father sounded very frightened in the front seat of the car as it sped homeward through the night. Dick Bertram was the man to beat both in terms of boat design and the racing itself. I cant imagine that though, he was pretty easy to find. Who is this guy? asked an arriving first responder. It was mostly a lot of hell-raising and good times.". He competed in the race in April 1962 and led until the end. They had two sons, Gavin and Wylie. 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