OBITUARY
MICHAEL HALPERN
1952-2024
Michael Halpern, a prominent Key West attorney, hotelier, business owner and philanthropist, died Dec. 30 at his home on Shark Key after a brief battle with cancer. He was 72.
The New York City native was born July 10, 1952 to Robert and Martha Halpern.
He is survived by his brother, Robert; his four sons, Terry, Rafe, Alex and Luke; and his three grandchildren, Mia, River and Paisley. The friends who are still reeling from his loss are too numerous to mention.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Binghamton, New York — and developing an aversion to its harsh winters — Halpern headed south and attended law school at Florida State University. In 1975, he went as far south as possible in the U.S. and settled in Key West, where he had accepted a job as a young public defender.
His law career evolved to private practice and flourished, along with his entrepreneurial efforts and real estate portfolio. But most of his legal work was done pro bono. He was the first attorney in Florida to win The Florida Bar Association’s award for pro bono work twice — in 1993 and 2011. Pro bono is Latin for “for the public good.” The Florida Bar Association noted in 2011, ”80% of Halpern’s cases represent work done for free for those who cannot afford a lawyer.” He volunteered about 4,000 hours between 2006 and 2010.
Michael was a constant presence and proud host at the historic Southernmost Mansion, which he ran as a boutique hotel and award-winning Seaside Cafe. The 1897 mansion had hosted five presidents, as well as iconic figures such as Tennessee Williams, Thomas Edison and even Al Capone.
Michael married Key West local Michelle Keevan in December 1990 and the couple had four sons — Rafe, Alex, Luke and Terry.
Michelle’s decade-long battle with cancer prompted Michael and his boys to launch Kids Fighting Cancer in the early 2000s to raise money to help local people pay their bills while undergoing cancer treatment. Michelle finally lost her fight in November 2011.
His humanitarian work extended quietly throughout the community, with Michael never seeking or taking credit for his generosity. But his pride and joy was the creation of Michelle’s Foundation in honor of his late wife. The foundation, whose motto is “Never let your burdens define you,” helps local kids and families with necessities such as food, tutoring, college tuition and more. It also supports organizations such as Samuel’s House, the Florida Keys SPCA, the Learning Center and more. There was no facet of the community that Michael’s benevolence did not touch.
A celebration of Michael’s life will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Michelle’s Foundation. Donations can be made in person at the memorial service, online at michellefoundation.com or by mail at P.O. Box 1736, Key West, FL 33041.
