Definitely well said and I honestly couldn't imagine him going out as on old crippler at 95 years old rotting away in a hospital bed. He died the way he lived. Violent, larger than life and making headlines.

I’ll have to look.
I have them all.

Some more fiction than fact.
Really have to consider who wrote it and take it all w/a grain of salt.

Several years ago I got the idea to possibly get the street re-named for Don in front of his childhood house where he was raised on Ave. S in Brooklyn "Don Aronow way" was the street sign I envisioned.
I got InTouch with some of Don's old friends with the hope of reaching his son Michael...........after a few calls and third party connections Michael took my phone call........I explained my intentions of being'
from the same neighborhood (Sheepshead Bay) and how the community board of Kings county Brooklyn previously has honored past sons of Sheepshead Bay such as, (footballs Vince Lombardi, Horse
trainer Sunny Fitzsimons) Michael thought it was a great idea and would help in any way, but warned me about past experiences with the Board as he himself is a Lawyer and had negative run-ins with them.
I filled the necessary paper work and prepared a presentation. Michael sent me numerous articles of his Championship racing victories, his business accomplishments with printed accolades from people
(Kings, sheiks, politicians) all over the world.
The date came, I presented my 45 minute explanation as to why we (Brooklyn) should have a street renamed for SHB's son Don Aronow while mentioning the fact that other famous sons have been given
that approval........the board consisted of 6 members and by a vote 5 to 1 they denied the request.....I asked for a reason as to why? there quote; "Don Aronow who was a millionaire never came back to share
some of his wealth back into the community" ......What!!!.......To this day Biggy Smalls and other Hip hop celebs have streets named after them what did they give back?.....or Vince Lombardi?...I called Michael
and told him of their decision. He thanked me and sent me an autographed copy of his book The King of Thunderboat Row" and explained, He knew from past experiences with Kings County with their corruption
and held out that maybe this time it might be different but, what it always takes is palm greased $$$.....politics, same as it always is!!

The only good politician is well.... I probably can't say on this forum where I think they belong. Not surprised. But very cool that Michael.took your call and sent the book to boot. I'm surprised they don't rename 188th street down in Miami honestly.

I also love the New York City story. Maybe more fiction than fact with Don but no one could get permits to move this stuff thru the city. So he bought some army vehicles and uniforms and said no one stops the army. He breezed right thru. Those where the days

I have a Tale of Aronow in that 87 Era I told on here about 10 years ago but took it down after a couple days. If I get on a keyboard I'll try to rewrite and post it.

Heard them all huh?

Then you already know about the apartment building near Atlanta that he built and decided to give to a Black university that was nearby so they could use it as a dorm.

In return they gave him a lifetime membership in the NAACP

Or the story of a Cuban immigrant, that was a fisherman in Cuba, but when he came here he got a job building boats for Mr Aronow.

He wanted as much overtime as he could get, as he was saving his money to buy a fishing boat, that would get him back in business for himself.

When Don heard about it he bought the boat for the guy. He made it very clear to the guy, that he was not a bank and this was not a loan, here is your boat, now get to work and make us all proud.

Here is a link to a story I wrote about Don for Extreme Boats Magazine many years ago. Enjoy http://www.historicraceboats.com/art...me-2007-08.pdf

Wow.

Thank you sir for sharing.

I can’t believe I haven’t seen this before.

What a lucky guy you are and thanks for educating me to a side of him that I didn’t know was there.

Love the shot of the boat 20’ in the air w/the tabs up!

Courtesy of Erik Nordskog,