Dr. Edward Jay Lurie

Our family, friends and community have lost a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, physician, community leader and philanthropist.

Ed was born on September 26, 1929, to Rose and Morrie Lurie in Brooklyn, NY. He passed away on December 17, 2024. He was educated at Stetson University in DeLand, FL and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. Over his 95 years, he worked hard and enjoyed a life full of accomplishments. As a young man he became an Eagle Scout as well as a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner. He was named Mr. Seminole 1979 and Rotarian of the year in 1994-95 for his tireless work for the Seminole community and his desire to “do good in the world”. 

Ed helped establish the City of Seminole. He was founding president of Congregation Beth Chai in Seminole, while always maintaining his membership in Congregation B’nai Israel St. Petersburg. He was past president of both the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Seminole, which he was an active member of for 60 years. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge of the Gulf Beaches and the Florida Holocaust Museum. After 33 years of practicing medicine in Seminole, he changed careers and became a full-time real estate developer. During his professional years he befriended and mentored many. 

Among his many acts of philanthropy, Ed and his wife Vivian, funded the construction of the civic building on St. Petersburg College’s Seminole campus in partnership with the Seminole Chamber of Commerce. The ten-acre land for Wounded Warriors Ability Ranch was donated to the City of Pinellas Park by the Lurie family.

His most cherished roles were being a devoted husband to Vivian (Elias) for 50 years, father to Michael (Bonnie) and Sara Beth Watson (Seth) and Pop-Pop to Julianne, Avery and Josephine Lurie and Sydney and Leo Watson.

Funeral service with Masonic Ritual will be held at Congregation B’nai Israel 300 58th St N St. Petersburg on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 1:30 PM. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park, 12905 Wild Acres Rd in Largo.

Shiva will be observed at the Lurie residence, 12600 86th Avenue, Seminole on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 PM and Saturday Dec. 21 and Sunday Dec. 22 at 7:00PM.

No flowers please, instead contributions would be appreciated to the Rotary Club of Seminole Charitable Fund, or Congregation B'nai Israel in St. Petersburg.

TO VIEW THE SERVICE ONLINE:  https://cbilivestream.com/

Heritage Funeral Care, Largo Florida, is serving the family.