In loving memory of Arthur Boniface Marvin III
His father was an American engineer for the sugar mills in Cuba. When the family left, they were the largest single family ever flown on a Pan Am Clipper ship. They arrived at Pan Am’s 1st marine base which was at Dinner Key in Coconut Grove, FL which is now surrounded by Miami.
After growing up in Miami, he was a distinguished Naval Photographer. He then became a very respected Optician in Miami Beach and was deeply involved with starting the revitalization of the South Beach Art Deco buildings. His clients often became friends, and included many famous (and some infamous) people besides all the others that knew and loved him from his years on South Beach.
It was always amusing when we were walking or eating on Lincoln Road Mall and heard one of them yelling at us from afar, often joining us (with their bodyguards) as tourists wondered who the heck we were knowing them. We had a lot of laughs, great company, and food together.
We had met by chance one night in Coral Gables (next to Miami) where he was bartending, the universe spoke, 2am came and went, and that was it. Together as one in life from then on.
Later we got an apartment in Coconut Grove, right around the corner from where he had landed with his family. From there we bought a home in South Miami big enough for his extensive Orchid collection and my Tillandsias. We were both on the Coral Gables Orchid Society Board of Directors and continued to be involved in many civic minded activities.
We had a great devoted life together, and I think of him often since he passed away July 27th 1991.
