By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

October 9, 2014 – Services will be held today for Santa Monica philanthropist and Pier champion Maynard Ostrow, who died Monday after a long battle with an undisclosed illness. He was 79.

Ostrow lived with his wife, Sheila, in Santa Monica for more than 40 years, where he served as a board member of the Ocean Park Community Center, the Santa Monica Symphony and WISE and Healthy Aging.

"Maynard Ostrow was a gentle soul, who for decades championed slow-growth and our beachside character,” former mayor Mike Feinstein told the Lookout. 

“His enduring commitment was one of my inspirations to become involved in local politics, and our community is far better off for what he did on our behalf."

Son of Doris and Joe Ostrow of Oak Park, Michigan, Ostrow went to Central High School and became an amusement business innovator who began traveling with carnivals at the age of 15.

With his partners, Ostrow brought shows to the Santa Monica Pier, as well as to Circus Circus Hotels in Las Vegas and Reno.

Ostrow and his wife are considered by the community to be among the City’s most generous residents, making large annual donations to the homeless services organization OPCC.

"Maynard Ostrow was a lion for Santa Monica,” said Sharon Gilpin, a political consultant and longtime friend.  “A savvy business mind, a big heart and a down-to-earth common sense generator of ideas for compassionate civic engagement.  And - yes - a generous donor and teller of great jokes!”

He also participated in many political campaigns, most notably the “Save Our Piers Forever“ campaign that defeated a plan to tear down the Pier and replace it with an artificial island, convention center and a hotel.

“He spearheaded the movement to Save the Pier when some wanted to turn it into 'office island,'” Gilpin said. “He loved the City and worked with all willing partners for the benefit of all good things it stands for today.  Rest in Peace Maynard." 

Ostrow is survived by his wife Sheila, his children Natalie, Noni, Ivy and Oliver, his brothers Barry and Larry and his sister Eileen.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Pierce Brothers Mortuary, 1218 Glendon Ave in Los Angeles. Afterward, guests will be welcomed to the family home in Santa Monica.