When the senior pastor at Coral Gables Congregational Church needed a way to get people who could not drive to Sunday services, Donald Carlin had the solution:

``Go to a dealership, buy a van and send me the bill,'' he told her.

When Carlin saw how hard law enforcement officers worked without getting recognized, he created an Oscar-like celebration for them.

And when the lover of the arts learned Miami-Dade was in the process of planning a Performing Arts Center, he promptly donated $1.25 million.

In 2001, Carlin told The Miami Herald that he enjoyed making donations ``so you can enjoy seeing where it's going and doing some good. Because no matter how you plan, you'll never know for sure where it's going once you're gone.''

The insurance man-turned-philanthropist died Wednesday after a brief illness. He was 84.

``He was just the most giving, caring, wonderful man,'' said his widow, Audre Carlin.

Born Aug. 2, 1925 in Far Rockaway, N.Y., Carlin was a star sprinter in school and went to work right after high school to ``make a living,'' according to his nephew Roy Farby.

Farby said his uncle slowly worked his way up, learning the insurance business in and out.

``He just had a mind for it,'' Farby said.

In the 1950s, Carlin moved to Miami ``and fell in love with the place,'' Farby said.

In 1969, he partnered with Albert Kahn and established Kahn/Carlin Insurance.

The company soon won contracts from local rental car businesses.

Carlin and first wife Hedy were married for 48 years.

After her death, he was attending an event for contributors to Miami's Performing Arts Center when he met B. Landon Carlin.

The couple married in 2001 and together they donated millions to organizations including the Florida Grand Opera, the Miami City Ballet, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, the New World Symphony and the Concert Association of Florida.

B. Carlin died of cancer in 2007.

Don Carlin was never a police officer -- nor was anyone else in his family -- but he always had an appreciation for them, said Andrew Vera, the executive director of the L.E.O. Foundation.

Carlin joined the Dade Association of Chiefs of Police and in 1999, underwrote a gala honoring the officers.

It was small affair with about 150 people held in a North Miami Beach auditorium.

Next March, the L.E.O. foundation will host the 10th anniversary awards gala at the Fontainebleau in Carlin's honor, with 1,000 people present.

``You never had to ask for anything,'' said Sunny Isles Police Chief Fred Maas. ``Don always came to us.''

In the 2001 interview with The Miami Herald, Donald Carlin said, ``I enjoy being involved.''

``I think it's important at any age, if you can, to be part of the community, keep your mind alert, to be where people are,'' he said.

In addition to his wife and nephew, Carlin is survived by sister Ginger Smith of Lake Worth.

Although Carlin was Jewish and very active in the founding of Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest, he was introduced to the Coral Gables Congregational Church by second wife B.

That's where his service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday.

Donations in Carlin's name can be made to the L.E.O. Charitable Foundation, in care of Andrew Vera, 5722 S. Flamingo Road, #310, Cooper City, FL 33330.

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