Remembering philanthropist Paul DiMare, a legendary benefactor to Miami Hurricanes athletics

When Alex Rodriguez needed a scholarship to attend Westminster Christian high school in Miami, Paul DiMare stepped to the plate and provided the funding.

When Alonzo Highsmith was a  high school star at Miami Columbus, DiMare convinced him that Howard Schnellenberger would build a dominant football program.

And when Sam Jankovich was considering the director of athletics position at UM and one of his stipulations was the resumption of the basketball program, DiMare became one of the initial founders to put up $50,000.

DiMare, a highly successful tomato farmer, philanthropist, and a major benefactor to Miami athletics, died last Friday of complications from ALS (anyotrophic lateral clerosis). He was 81.

DiMare was a member of the UM Board of Trustees for 18 years, and his son Gino has been head baseball coach since 2019.

“Since the moment he became a trustee 18 years ago, he has been in my view one of the most important and most significant members on our entire board, specifically for athletics but not exclusively to athletics,” said Ron Stone, long-time trustee and former chairman of the Board of Trustees athletic committee and a friend of DiMare for 40 years. “As a matter of fact, it may be that his greatest financial resource contributions have been to the medical enterprise. That’s not to diminish his contributions to athletics, which have been widespread and significant for decades.”

Stone said he “pressed hard within our board nominating process of him to be made a trustee.” He noted that DiMare was at “the highest level of annual support for football – an endowed scholarship which is $50,000 a year.”

He added, “When Sam and I were putting together the program to bring back basketball, Sam agreed to come here as athletics director, and I was chair of the recruitment process. Sam extracted from President Foote that he’d have the opportunity to put together a financial plan that would not be a drain on the athletics department to bring back basketball. I had introduced Sam to Paul as a person who potentially could be a cog in bringing back basketball. Paul fell prey to Sam’s charms and agreed to put up $50,000 to help create a half million dollars fund.

“Also, he helped so many young people to pursue their athletic careers as kids. He reached out to Alex Rodriguez and Alonzo Highsmith,” who became a first-round draft choice, later was an executive with the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks, and now is general manager of UM football operations.

Highsmith called DiMare “The ultimate Hurricane” in a social media post. “He’s one of the many reasons why Miami is the U. He convinced a 17-year-old kid that Miami could be a dominant program under Howard Schnellenberger when there was no reason to believe. Being around him was special because he taught me so much about life and he loved sports … His sons are more like family to me and they all have the 11same qualities as their father .. . I told him the day I walked on campus at Miami we’d win several championships and I told him the week before Christmas we’d win championships again. The only way I know how to honor Paul DiMare is to continue believing in people and make change for the good of all.”

When Highsmith was baptized during his UM career, he chose DiMare to be his godfather. And years later he asked DiMare to be godfather of his son Alonzo Paul Highsmith when he was born.

DiMare was president of seven family corporations and the founder and administrator of the Paul J. DiMare Foundation. He was a board of trustee member of several groups, including the American Red Cross Chairman’s Circle.  He supported the arts, science and education, including Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and the UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. And he founded the DiMare Institute to Find a Cure for the Incurables, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

“He helped out so many people,” said Gino DiMare. “J.D. Arteaga, our assistant (pitching) coach, told me recently that my dad had helped pay for his education in high school. And he helped kick start J.D.’s foundation named for his son Ari (who died at age 16 in 2018) . I would have never known if people hadn’t mentioned.  He did so much for so many people and never once did he ask for anything in return.

“There are so many things he has given to, plus giving his time. People come up to me and say you’re dad did this for me and that for me. My dad would never tell me that. He was very private about what he did for many years. Only when in later years he started to go to big functions and they were so publicized. He was just there for so many different things, causes and boards. And obviously he was busy with his kids and his business and whatnot. He was not a guy to sit around on the couch. He loved people. He was at his best when he was around people, a great listener, and a very good talker. When he talked people listened, they respected what he had to say. Obviously pride is an understatement for me about how I feel about my dad.” 

Jim Morris, UM’s baseball coach from 1994 to 2018, called DiMare “a great person and a great friend. I’ve known Gino for 19 years but I’ve known Paul for longer. Paul was on my coach’s committee for baseball, that’s the way I got to meet Gino. We all know Paul had a great love for baseball, UM, and his boys. A great family guy and loyal to the university.

“To me he was the most loyal and biggest benefactor to the baseball program. He’d given over $20 million to the university. A well-rounded guy, very smart. A fun guy to be around, I had lunch with him and played golf.”

Jay Rokeach, who will soon begin his 55th season as the public address announcer at UM baseball games, was emcee at several fund-raising dinners that DiMare attended.

“He was an incredible man, always gracious,” said Rokeach. “I got a kick out of the fact that when he was at a UM baseball or UM Hall of Fame fund raising event and you brought something up for auction, little things like an autographed Tommy Lasorda baseball, when he raised his hand to bid you felt confident you’d be selling that item. It didn’t matter how much somebody bid, he would outbid them. He didn’t need it, he was trying to help out the program. This was before Gino became head coach. It was always comforting have him in audience. It’s sad he will not be able to enjoy his son’s coaching any longer. It’s a great loss.”

UM Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said in a statement that “Paul was a pillar of our South Florida community and one of the University of Miami’s most passionate supporters. I knew Paul for many years, and he was always kind, encouraging, generous and thoughtful. He was a true friend to both the University and the athletic department, and he will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to Gino and the entire DiMare family during this difficult time.”

UM President Julio Frenk said in a statement: “One of our University’s most ardent supporters, Paul lived a life worth emulating, marked by generosity, leadership, and a gregarious spirit that made him unforgettable.

“Paul served with distinction on the University of Miami Board of Trustees since 2004, holding various leadership positions, and dedicated much of his time, talent, and treasure to uplifting our institution. He poured his heart into his family, his community, and his every endeavor. We have been fortunate to know him personally and we mourn the loss of this great man.

“I am grateful that earlier this summer, we had an opportunity to express to Paul just what a difference he has made at the U. “

Paul DiMare is survived by his wife, Swanee,  and his sons Tony, Paul Jr., Gino, Scott, Jim Husk, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 12 pm at Church of the Epiphany, 8235 SW 57 Ave., in Miami.