Paradies' retirement mission was philanthropy

While serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Dan Paradies went on a mission that would define his life.

Another plane veered too close to Paradies’ plane, causing a midair collision. He woke up just in time to deploy his parachute and landed in a field. A farmer picked him up and took Paradies to the hospital. He was the lone survivor; four other airmen died.

After his near-death experienced, Paradies vowed to share his good fortune with as many people as he could.

Daniel “Dan” Paradies, of Longboat Key and Atlanta, died April 29. He was 92.

He spent his life fulfilling that goal.

In Sarasota, he established the Daniel M. Paradies Foundation, which supports the Sarasota Ballet, Ringling College of Art and Design, Goldie Feldman Academy, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, Breast Health Sarasota and Bike and Build Inc.

“I think his interests and passions were the arts and kids in need,” said Gulf Coast Community Foundation President Teri Hansen. “When you look at the arts and children in need, those kind of encompass the best of life and where he could make a difference.”

Born in 1921, in Atlanta, Paradies attended the University of Virginia before volunteering to join the Army Air Corps. He reached the rank of lieutenant, piloting B-17 aircraft during his four years of service.

After the war, he returned to Atlanta, and joined his family business, Paradies & Co., the largest wholesale distributor in the Southeast for toys and housewares, before opening a single toy and gift shop at what was then the Atlanta Municipal Airport.

In 1960, Paradies founded a new company, The Paradies Shops, which today has more than 500 shops in 75 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada with more than 5,000 employees. Paradies served as president and CEO until his retirement in 1994.

At the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, he constantly said “How can I help?” and “The best is yet to come.” The latter saying is displayed with Paradies’ picture in the foundation’s Philanthropy Center that opened in July 2013 and was made possible through a donation from Paradies.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The William Bremen Jewish Home, 3150 Howell Mill Road N.W., Atlanta, Ga. 30327.