Jack Fox has piloted his own planes,
including this Beechcraft Baron, for
more than 50 years. He keeps this plane
at Boca Raton Airport. Photos by Tim Stepien
How do you know Jack Fox?
Coastal residents may know him as president of the Beach Condominium Association of Boca Raton/Highland Beach.
But for some people, he is an angel.
Fox, whose résumé includes piloting a Beechcraft Baron twin-engine plane, flies people who cannot afford air fare to treatment centers around the state.
“Angel Flights has a mission that no one should be denied medical treatment because they do not have the money to get there,” said Fox, who pilots Angel Flights from Boca Raton and from his second home, in Virginia Beach. “We donate the time, the aircraft and the fuel.”
Fox, who has flown small aircraft for 51 years, moved to Boca Raton with his wife, Beverly, about 23 years ago.
The Foxes have been married 55 years and have three children and five grandchildren. They have a townhouse at Boca Raton’s Yacht & Racquet Club, where Beverly Fox raises orchids and Jack Fox navigates the local waterways in their 50-foot motor yacht, the Sea Fox.
“We live in a unique place,” he says. “It’s different from most condos. We call it a residential resort community.” Fox says the Yacht & Racquet Club “has a very, very active social program” and is a place with an island feel.
Educated to be an industrial engineer, Fox went on to own a major commercial bakery — his wife ran the bakery’s outlet store — then branched out into other businesses.
“The greatness of this country is small entrepreneurs,” Fox says. “It’s the greatest country on Earth for opportunities.”
And with the Beach Condominium Association, he sees an opportunity to make a difference. Fox says he has been involved with the association about six or seven years now. The group, which originally was composed of 10 or 15 condos a quarter-century ago, now represents 63 developments, most of them along A1A. They meet the third Thursday of each month. A different condo hosts each month.
“It’s an exchange of ideas,” he says of the meetings. “Our overriding concern is managing condos — policies on pets and the disciplinary procedures the associations have.”
Top among Fox’s concerns is the unfettered growth of sea grapes along A1A, which blocks views of the beach.
“They’ve been unkempt and overgrown for years,” he says. “Here we have one of the most beautiful cities in southeast Florida with one of the ugliest beaches in southeast Florida.”
Advocates for sea turtles say the trees prevent lights from condos from distracting turtle hatchlings. But Fox says he would like to see the city replant the beaches in an environmentally sensitive way.
“Look at Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. They have clear beaches,” he says.
Another of Fox’s passions: The Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education at Florida Atlantic University.
“The program explores how groups can prejudice,” Fox says. “They teach the teachers how to teach the subject at school. And that’s a very important thing to do throughout the school system.”
— Scott Simmons
Q. Where did you grow up and go to school?
A. I was born and raised in Baltimore. Went to college at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, where I earned a degree in industrial engineering.
Q. What are some highlights of your professional life beyond the Beach Condominium Association of Boca Raton/Highland Beach?
A. I worked for a big company till I was 41 and thought the great opportunities in this country were in small business.
I was in baby foods manufacturing. Then I gave this guy a bunch of IOUs, bought a bakery and moved to Emporia, Va. By age 51, I had built the business to 400 employees at three plants.
I sold out and became an investor, and was involved in automobile auctions.
Q. How did you choose to make your home in Boca Raton?
A. Two reasons. First, my mother and father moved to Palmaire, near Pompano Beach. And Boca had one of the most progressive governments. It’s a beautiful city, except for the sea grapes, and the water is among the best in the state. Boca also has a fabulous recreation system.
Q. What is your favorite part about living in Boca Raton?
A. The fundamental geography. We’re 40 minutes from great culture — museums, symphonies, fine restaurants.
Q. What are some of your interests beyond the association?
A. I’ve been a pilot for 51 years, and keep a plane at Boca Raton airport. I have a hangar there. It’s extremely well managed.
I fly out here and in Virginia Beach, and donate the time, aircraft and fuel … I have flown cancer patients. The only requirement is that they can’t afford to or physically can’t go on a commercial flight. That’s a rewarding group.
I’m a member of the Boca Raton Pilots Association. We go on fly-outs — we recently flew up to lunch in Stuart.
I also am commodore of the condo yacht club, and have a 50-foot motor yacht, the Sea Fox. We go on trips. We go to the New River Jazz Brunch, along the New River in Fort Lauderdale.
Q. What book are you reading now?
A. I read nonfiction. The last book I read was the history of Boca Raton Airfield. Early work on radar was done right here in Boca Raton. The Berlin Airlift was dependent on work done in Boca Raton.
Q. What music do you listen to when you need inspiration? When you want to relax?
A. I like jazz and classical music. Saw the Dave Koz holiday show. We go to the Broward Center for classical and for international symphony orchestras. I’m an Entourage member of the Broward Center.
Q. Do you have a favorite quote that inspires your decisions?
A. The definition of luck: “When preparation meets opportunity.”
Q. Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?
A. My dad, who passed away about 10 years ago. He was a very patriotic man with a love of country. During World War II, he was an air raid warden in Baltimore.
Q. Who or what makes you laugh?
A. My grandchildren.
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