Longtime Boca Raton Tribune Columnist Passes Away at 76

Editor’s Note: We will be honoring the life of Barry Epstein throughout the week and will compile photos, stories, and memories of our beloved Columnist. We will print a special edition honoring Barry with letters, photos, and articles. If you, or anyone you know, would like to share with us a story of you and Barry, please email us at pheizer@bocaratontribune.com. Send your photos, stories, and anything else you would like.

Boca Raton public relations man Barry Epstein, who wrote the weekly Barry’s Buzz column and was one of The Boca Raton Tribune’s biggest supporters, 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,” was held at noon Thursday at Star of David, 7701 Bailey Rd Pompano Beach, FL 33068.

Early 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.

“We are saddened by the loss of one of our beloved columnist,” said Douglas Heizer, publisher of The Boca Raton Tribune. “Barry was a well-respected and honorable man who was filled with joy and loved every minute of life.”

In 2003, Epstein founded the Gold Coast Public Relations Council, South Florida’s largest independent group of PR, marketing and communications professionals from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin and Dade counties.

Epstein also founded The Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club, a club that was modeled after the famous National Press Club in Washington DC. The Gold Coast Tiger Bay Club provides a forum of public discourse and debate on politics, people and issues affecting our lives, our community, and our world.

“Barry was a Public Relations maven and his joy came from connecting people,” added Heizer. “He was someone I was honored to call my friend and proud to have known.”

Epstein was born in New York and graduated from Kent State University.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Epstein, his son, Jaret Epstein, brothers Ira and Lenny Epstein and two grandsons.