Real Estate executive William H. “Bill” Kerdyk Jr., along with sisters Tracy Kerdyk and Kim Kerdyk, have donated $75,000 to the Coral Gables Garden Club in memory of their mother, Marlene Schulte Kerdyk.
The donation will be held in the Marlene Kerdyk Beautification Fund established at the Coral Gables Community Foundation. Its purpose is to support landscape beautification projects in the Coral Gables and improve the quality of life for its residents.
“Our mother was a wonderful person who provided us support, guidance and was the pillar of strength for our family,” William H. “Bill” Kerdyk Jr. said. “Her presence was felt for more than 30 years at the Coral Gables Garden Club. She was devoted to horticulture, gardening and preserving the environment for future generations.”
The Kerdyk family has a long track record of philanthropic support in the community. In October 2002, the Kerdyk Family Music Trust Scholarship Fund was established at the Coral Gables Community Foundation in memory of their father, William H. Kerdyk Sr., who shared his love of music with his own children and grandchildren.
A financial scholarship is given annually to a graduating senior who lives in Coral Gables and has shown an interest in music during high school. To date, more than 20 deserving music students have been awarded scholarships.
William H. ‘Bill’ Kerdyk Jr. is the president and CEO of Kerdyk Real Estate, a full service real estate brokerage company serving South Florida focusing on residential and commercial real estate. He served as a Coral Gables commissioner on a citywide, nonpartisan basis starting in 1995 and was subsequently re-elected in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. He served as vice mayor in 1999, 2001 and from 2007 to 2015.
During his career, Kerdyk led and supported several city beautification efforts including the Parknership Program, a public/private partnership to purchase and enhance open spaces throughout the city; the Downtown Landscape Plan, an ordinance that through landscaping, increased tree canopy, improved the natural beauty of the area and created a pedestrian-friendly environment for all new developments in the community areas of Coral Gables, and the Ponce de Leon Boulevard Median, a landscaped median on Ponce de Leon Boulevard in the heart of Coral Gables that improved traffic flow and enhanced the boulevard.
Tracy, Kim and Billy what a wonderful way to honor your beautiful Mother! I remember her she sure was a Lady!
Good memories at MEL Reese Golf Course, God Bless you all ?? all my love Mody xox
Your mother was a delight to work with a few years ago when we designed and printed the program for the Garden club’s annual luncheon. Many good memories of a very talented lady! Garlin Lewis
This was a generous gift that will benefit and
beautify our Gables community for generations.
How appropriate to honor your beautiful mother
in a way she would have so lovingly endorsed.
We who had caring parents to guide us as we matured, are indeed fortunate and blessed.
You kids are the best. Your mom is one more guardian angel looking down upon you all.