Arts philanthropist Rose Miniaci, whose name is on theaters in Broward, dies at 100
Rose Miniaci wasn’t one of the celebrities who appeared on South Florida stages at Broward Center for the Performing Arts or Nova Southeastern University. But her name was a familiar site on the walls of those centers.
Miniaci, born Rose Broccoli 100 years ago in Cozenza, Italy — July 14, 1921 — died a centenarian on Aug. 3, three weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday with her family, they said.
“In a serendipitous manner that only Rose could create, she left us 27 years to the day her loving husband Alfred passed away,” the family wrote in her memorial. “We are comforted by the message that Alfred and Rose are reunited in their love.”
Both were philanthropists with a deep commitment to advancing the arts and educational opportunities in their adopted Fort Lauderdale.
Alfred had established Paramount companies in 1931 in New York and had operated jukeboxes and vending machines in nightlife establishments through the state. The couple married in New York in 1944.
Today, sons Albert and Dominick run the family business, Paramount Coffee Service, from South Florida. Paramount’s services in break-room and cleaning supplies extend from Florida to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware.
The company’s longevity put the Miniacis in position to support the culture they had come to love in South Florida.
Roberto Santiago, now a communications officer for Florida Atlantic University, met Miniaci when he worked for Miami City Ballet. For seasons, Miniaci underwrote many of the company’s dance presentations.
One of Santiago’s favorite conversations with Miniaci happened one evening at one of those ballets when they were discussing “an amazing weeks-long vacation” she had with her family.
“My wife and I looked at each other with wide eyes,” Santiago recalled. “’That sounds so wonderful,’ I said to Mrs. Miniaci. ‘Is there any way you can adopt us? We are officially orphans!’ Mrs. Miniaci smiled, held and patted my hand, and said without missing a beat, ‘Oh, no my dear — I have enough children!’”
Miniaci’s gifts to arts, education
Technically, she had two — sons Dominick and Albert, along with her grandchildren Dominique, Maria, Alexander and Alan, all of whom survive her. But if you consider her role in the community, Miniaci had many more “adopted” children.
Her first gift to the Broward Center in 1995 created a fund to be used for children’s programs. “She spent the next 25 years empowering the lives of students,” according to the performing arts center.
In 1998, Rose established an endowed fund to support the Broward County Public Schools’ Student Enrichment in the Arts program at Broward Center. She also was a founder of the Arts for the Future Scholarship Program that helps fund local high school students in their pursuit of an arts education.
Miniaci also supported the establishment of an educational endowment fund at the Broward Center and the Rose Miniaci Education Center to help children and their families participate in cultural activities at the 30-year-old Fort Lauderdale venue.
“Rose was a true philanthropist who cared deeply about the arts and their impact on children. When she passed away in August, just three weeks after her 100th birthday, she left an enduring legacy that changed our community. She has played a starring role in shaping the history and the future of the Broward Center,’’ said Kelley Shanley, president and CEO of the Broward Center.
Rose’s signature gift to the Broward Center was the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center, a resource touted by center leaders as “transformational for our community.”
Miniaci also established the Rose Miniaci Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward, and her donations to Nova Southeastern University contributed to the funding of the Alfred & Rose Miniaci Performing Arts Center.
“Rose overcame multiple adversaries in life; many would have either given up or failed to not only live 100 years but to live it beautifully with grace and charm,” said George Hanbury, president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University. “Rose by any other name is still a rose.”
Among the other beneficiaries of Miniaci’s support: the Museum of Discovery and Science, Symphony of the Americas, Miami City Ballet, Florida Grand Opera, Ann Stork Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, City of Hope, the Children’s Home Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Jewish Appeal, Diabetes Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation; and Saint Anthony’s Foundation for Education.
At Broward Center, Santiago remembered how Miniaci arrived for every performance elegantly dressed and accompanied by her son Dominick and his wife, Meika.
“She always watched the ballet in the ground floor booth located in the left orchestra section. The ballet dancers would always present her with a bouquet of roses just before each performance,”Santiago said. “What I loved about Mrs. Miniaci was how kind, humble, and funny she was. You would have never known she was one of the most important arts philanthropists in South Florida when you met her.”
Note: Mrs. Miniaci. The Santiagos — Roberto and Darcy — always addressed her formally.
“She would always sigh and correct us, insisting that we call her Rose,” Santiago said. “But it was tough for us to be that informal because we had such esteem for her. We would start off calling her Rose, but find our way back by calling her Mrs. Miniaci.”
In Miniaci’s memory
Services were held. To make a donation in Miniaci’s memory, the family suggests Catholic Hospice in Miami Lakes or the L’Chaim Jewish Hospice.
This story was originally published August 13, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
