Everyone has a story. So do our City People. Their stories are fascinating and profound in different ways.
We have interviewed hundreds of Delray people and found them all to be different, yet they share something in common: a love for Delray Beach and philanthropy. Listening to everyone’s story over the years has truly been an honor. And an inspiration.
At times I felt like a dentist because it was like pulling teeth to get them to talk about themselves (men, you know who you are). Some made me laugh, others got me to think about mortality, matter and motion. And if emotion is what we feel from reading about someone’s life, then it is well worth the time and travel.
FRANCES BOURQUE was a Southern Belle who spoke about what she endured to save Old School Square when heavy chains wrapped around our city’s most valuable creative asset. “When my mother was pregnant with me, she was driving to Jacksonville to meet my father, but she didn’t make it. Turns out my uncle Steve came to deliver me.” Bourque was a visionary leader with tenacity and a profound understanding of historical preservation. “It’s not about me; it’s about listening to everyone and bringing people together.”
NANCY STEWART started out as a secretary at the Breakers Hotel and then at IBM. “I have been successful in business from the training I received at IBM. I learned to be detail-oriented, have structure, integrity, responsibility, commitment and deadlines.” Stewart put on the Delray Affair, Garlic Fest, Bacon and Bourbon, St. Patrick’s Day Parade and dozens more. Late at night, I would see her in a golf cart tooling around event sites. After John Franczak read her profile, he wanted to meet her. They married, produced memorable events, championed many causes, and inspired others to give their time and money to worthy efforts.
CARL DeSANTIS told me: “If someone says I can’t do something, look out, I’ll prove them wrong.” He owned 33 businesses, Atlantic Plaza, a 55,000-acre game reserve in South Africa and more. His first job was in the produce department of a grocery store. He created Sundown Suntan lotion, a mail-order vitamin business, and Celsius. He created study centers at FAU, donated to Nova Southeastern and UF, and established the De-Santis Family Chapel and Foundation. His mother Florence said, “You’re an onion boy, and you’ll always be an onion boy.” Boy did he prove her wrong!
JEFF PERLMAN saw the magic in DeSantis’s aura. “When Carl asked me to be the COO of Celsius I wanted to challenge myself—so I said yes.” He became EVP of CDS International Holdings and Executive Director of the Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation. “To say that man changed my life is an understatement.” Perlman has written plays that premiered at Delray Beach Playhouse and Arts Garage. His play “Say My Name” was chosen for Broadway Bound Theatre Festival in NYC.
“The cast got a standing ovation. People stayed in their seats, debated, reflected, and asked questions. That was always the goal. To help people feel something. And maybe to help them talk to one another again.” He won the Theatre Rocks National Playwriting Competition for ‘Under the Montauk Moon.’ “I’ve been so fortunate, I never let fear stop me from trying new things.”
BILLY HIMMELRICH may have started on Wall Street, but after working weekends for celebrity chef David Bouley and attending Culinary School in Paris, he came to Delray Beach. Here he opened Old School Bakery, which catapulted him to doughy superstar-dom. He and wife Shelly have donated their lives to giving back and created The Charlie Fund to honor their late son, focusing on mental-health education and reducing stigma.
RUSS MAGER, former Delray Beach Chief of Police, was a 29-year veteran. He was on the SWAT Team and TACT Team and served in virtually every unit. At age 13, he woke up at 4:30 am and swept clay tennis courts by hand. “I loved working with people. I’m not shy, I engage in conversation with others. I am also a fixer and like to help people.” He credits his good nature to his mother, who “always has a smile on her face.” Chief Mager is now Chief of Police in Longboat Key.
ROY SIMON was a giant of a man and chronicler of Delray. “My grandfather came to Delray in 1911 from Leb-anon to open a dry goods store. We lived above a store near the railroad station.” According to Roy, only 2,000 people were living in Delray in 1930. “George Morikami taught my father how to grow pineapples and my dad taught him to grow vegetables.” He was a charter Board Member of the Delray Historical Society and founder of the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority. Roy and his wife Mary Elizabeth are gone now, but their three children carry on the Simon legacy.
MARTIN KRUPENBACHER taught science for over 50 years at Banyan Elementary. Principal William Fay said, “Mr. K is like a Disney character in the classroom. He’s so engaging that I felt like I was in the 5th grade again.” He made up songs and riddles to teach children about science. “I feel like my career has been ordered by the Lord. Teaching gave me a direction.” He was a finalist for the Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education. “It is a blessing and a privilege to help shape the lives of our youth. I get to work with mankind’s greatest resource—children!”
MIMI HALEY MEISTER is a kinetic dynamo. “I am all about empowering others. The quieter you are the louder you are heard.” She started Charity Dynamics & Auctions, creating magical events and powerful fundraisers. She was professionally trained to create formal British tea parties with “Tea by the Sea with Mimi.” She owns 23 pearl necklaces. “Mimi is a great visionary for the Chamber,” said Lynn Van Lenten. “Her talent has allowed our committees to dream big and succeed even BIGGER.”
PATTY JONES babysat as a teen and worked at Montgomery Ward. “My father taught me not to be afraid of hard work and always said: ‘If you don’t do things for yourself they won’t get done.’” She volunteers tirelessly and was nominated for Junior League of Boca Raton’s 2025 Woman Volunteer of the Year. “In all of my years as Headmaster of American Heritage School, I have never worked with anyone more co-operative, positive, and intelligent than Patty Jones,” said Bob Stone. “I try to be humble, honest, and hard-working. I know I am blessed.”
TED HOSKINSON created Roots and Wings as a way to honor his late wife Anne. The Above and Beyond Teacher Awards honor educators with passion and commitment. Since its inception, Roots and Wings has honored over 1,400 teachers. Project UpLift pays teachers to tutor students in reading. “If you don’t pass the third grade reading test there’s a 74% chance a child won’t graduate from high school.” He was a co-founder of Impact 100 Men. “When you seek happiness for yourself it will always elude you. When you seek happiness for others you will find it yourself.”
LYNN VAN LENTEN is Program Director of the Del-ray Beach Chamber of Commerce. “I grew up in a faith-based womb.” She created the Chamber’s Non-Profit Council, helping with fundraising and collaboration. “To have an impact on the growth of local business brings me such joy.” She created “Do Good Delray,” pairing profit and non-profit members. “Lynn is an indispensable force at the Delray Beach Chamber. Her superpower is connecting people and encouraging collaboration,” said CEO Stephanie Immelman.
NICOLE GRIMES is a leader whose smile could light up a room. Her first job was at McDonald’s and then as an elementary school teacher. Nicole owns Grimes Events & Party Tents and has made it her life mission to give back. She donated tents during the pandemic for the homeless and supports FAU and numerous non-profits and community organizations. “Nicole inspires us all to be great leaders, she treats her teams well and gives back to the community,” said Laura Simon. Nicole supports the YMCA, Spirit of Giving, Habitat for Humanity, Achievement Centers and much more.
MARK CASSINI co-founded Community Greening, planting over 26,000 trees across South Florida. “Why do we need trees? Trees take down heat by 10 degrees and reduce flooding.” He grew up in a nature preserve. “I would fish and catch snakes and then bring home snakes, frogs and fish I found.” He took a job in Kenya at the processing center for refugees. Community Green-ing was named “Non-Profit of the Year” by the Delray Beach Chamber. “My dad instilled in me the value of hard work and doing what you say you’re going to do.”
NOREEN PAYNE’s actions speak for her. Raised by parents whose work took the family around the world, she later put down roots in South Florida and became deeply involved in Delray’s nonprofit community. She has supported the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, co-chaired the Delray Beach Home Tour, delivered meals for Caring Kitchen, raised funds for AVDA and the Delray library, and served as chamber chair during COVID. A real estate professional with The Amy & Noreen Team/Lang, Payne is known for integrity, energy and quiet generosity. “She has the biggest heart,” said partner Amy Snook.
SHARON KOSKOFF is an artist, teacher, author, preservationist and gallery owner. “As a professional artist, I am always ready to experiment, learn something new, discover ideas, travel, visit museums and collaborate with others. My life is about anything and everything to do with art! I eat, sleep and drink art.” Her Love’s Drug Mural in Pineapple Grove took 90 volunteers and was 67 feet wide. She is President of the Art Deco Society of the Palm Beaches and recently opened Dead End Studio, a creative space for art events.
LINDA PATON is Vice President of Customer Experience at Sklar Furnishings. “I was raised by a wonderful mom and dad who gave me great values. I did nonprofit work with them. That’s how I learned the value of giving back.” She served as Co-Chair of the Delray Beach Public Library’s 100th Anniversary Celebration and chairs the YMCA’s Inspiration Breakfast. One of Paton’s superpowers is bringing people together to raise funds, host events, connect a nonprofit with a potential donor, and encourage people to become involved. Paton was named Business Person of the Year by the Delray Beach Chamber.
DEBORAH DOWD taught in Palm Beach County for 39 years. Her father owned Christmas tree farms, so 10-year-old Deborah helped with the trimming each spring. She volunteers and serves on the board of the Achievement Center, co-chairs the Home Tour, and is on the board of Old School Square. She’s a member of Impact 100 Women, volunteers with the butterflies at Daggerwing Nature Center, and is a Master Gardener. She swims a half mile every day and walks four miles with her dog. Does she ever sleep?
NANCY REAGAN is Chief of Happiness at Bella Reina Spa. As a child she was overweight and had acne. “I understand what it’s like when people are always looking at your face. It catapulted me to do something about women’s skincare.” She studied science, nutrition and skincare and healed herself and others. She has supported the Delray Beach Library, Herd Foundation, Wayside House, Bethesda Hospital, Women of Grace and more. For “Do Good Delray,” she co-hosts Teapot Tuesdays. “I’m British and always adored having tea. Sharing a cup of tea is an elevated experience and gives women a chance to help a community charity.”
CHUCK HALBERG is a builder by trade and a humanitarian by nature. Through Stuart & Shelby Home Builders, he continues a legacy of giving back, supporting more than 53 Delray-area nonprofits with funding, resources, volunteerism and presence. His work benefits children, police, first responders and underserved residents. He is president of Delray Citizens for Delray Police, co-founder of Impact 100 Men Palm Beach County, and a board member of Arts Garage. Halberg helps organize toy drives, Thanksgiving meals for fire, police and EMS, and motorcycle rides that raise money for local charities. For Chuck, seeing children smile is reward enough.
