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It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Stephen Cypen. Deepest sympathy and condolences to Arlyn and the Cypen family. Steve will be MISSED! R.I.P
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Submitted by Margie Alter--Courtesy: Legacy.com
Stephen Cypen
May 29, 1944 - February 6, 2022
Miami Beach, Florida - Stephen Cypen, 77, passed away peacefully at home on February 6, 2022. Born on May 29, 1944, in St. Petersburg, Florida, Steve grew up on Miami Beach and graduated from Miami Beach Senior High, University of Florida and University of Miami Law School. Steve was a brilliant lawyer, practicing law on Miami Beach for over fifty years and serving as President of the Miami Beach Bar Association. He earned two Board Certifications during his career, first as a marital and family lawyer and then as a specialist in city, county and local government law. Steve was the Town Attorney of Surfside for over thirty years and represented over fifty governmental pension boards around the State of Florida. He wrote and published a monthly newsletter that was distributed to over a thousand lawyers and government officials. Steve's dedication to the law, however, was only part of a life-long dedication to helping people, especially the less-fortunate. In this regard, Steve followed the example of his late parents, Irving and Hazel Cypen. Steve was a leader in charitable and civic pursuits, serving as Chairman of the Board of Miami Jewish Health Systems, President of the Jerome A. Yavitz Charitable Foundation, of Miami Beach Kiwanis Club and of Miami Beach Civic League. He was also involved in numerous other charitable organizations and was recently inducted into the Miami Beach Senior High School Hall of Fame. His philanthropy touched and improved the lives of so many within the South Florida community and beyond. Steve will always be remembered for his intelligence, his quick wit and sense of humor, and his deep devotion and loyalty to family and friends. Steve is survived by his wife, Arlyn; two children, Jennifer Kaplan and Leslie (Peter) Diamond; four grandchildren, Benjamin Kaplan, Annabel Kaplan, Lila Diamond and Izzy Diamond; four siblings, Bonnie C. Epstein, Wayne (Nicole) Cypen, Tad Cypen, and Myles (Tony Rodriguez); and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Steve's doctors, Carlos Singer and Peter Segall, as well as his care-givers, Keith Brown, Joshua Hinds and David Rich. A private funeral service was held. Due to COVID-19, no shiva will be held. The family suggests contributions in Steve's memory be made to Miami Jewish Health Systems Foundation, www.miamijewishhealth.org/giving Arrangements by Levitt-Weinstein Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700
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Margie Schulman (Alter)
Reaction from Efrem regarding the sad news:
Submitted by Efrem Lieber MBHS Class of 1962
I guess you could say that Steve Cypen was my first best friend; we were neighbors, friends and schoolmates from 1948 to 1962. We were some of the Boys from South Beach, which then meant south of 41st Street.
To me, Steve was solid, sensible, sincere and funny. But, that didn’t mean that we were angels, never doing dumb things: we swam Government Cut (Sharks!) and climbed onto the glass ceiling of the gym at the old Miami Beach High School (Thank goodness we were skinny then).
Everyone in town admired Judge Cypen, his father. He was the South Florida campaign manager for John Kennedy’s 1960 presidential bid. He recruited Steve and me to deliver campaign materials on our bikes; he delivered a 90% plurality for JFK in Miami Beach.
Steve and I shared a love of sports, reading, and our families. We often ate at each other’s homes, played every sport at Flamingo Park, and explored Miami Beach as young boys did then. He cheered for me at basketball games, and I returned the loyalty when he played football.
I read his obituary with a mix of admiration and regret; his charitable and civic works were in keeping with his heritage. I will always regret not sharing more of life’s laughs and tears together over the years, except for a few brief moments at reunions. But, he was often in my thoughts. Fast friends are hard to find, even harder to forget, and easy to cherish. At Steve’s passing, I recall Shakespeare’s wish for Hamlet: “Goodnight sweet prince…and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Efrem Lieber
MBHS, Class of 1962
Scottsdale, AZ
Efrem1430@gmail.com
2/15/22
On Thu, Feb 10, 2022 at 1:36 AM Margie Schulman Alter <MargieaAlter@hi-tides62.com> wrote: