Mr. Irving Karp fought in World War II, earning a purple heart. He served as a staff sergeant in the 69th Infantry Division and fought in the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Along with this wife Ruth Karp, he founded Carnival Fruit Co. in 1960 in Miami Beach. What started as a retail produce store with a single 1.5-ton pickup truck grew to a fleet of more than 70 trucks that distributed produce wholesale across South Florida and in the Caribbean. The successful produce company stood as a community staple for decades.
A plaque commemorating Mr. Irving Karp will be installed on the corner of 6th street and Meridian Avenue, where Carnival Fruit Co. business was originally established. Verbiage on the plaque will read as follows:
IRVING I. KARP
Entrepreneur & Decorated War Veteran
On any given day through the 1960s and 70s, Irving and Ruth Karp could be found at this exact location working in the business they founded in 1960, Carnival Fruit Co. What started as a retail produce store with a single 1.5-ton pickup truck grew to a fleet of more than 70 trucks that distributed produce wholesale across South Florida and in the Caribbean, and their successful produce company stood as a community staple for decades.
Irving Karp fought in World War II, serving as a staff sergeant in the 69th Infantry Division. He fought in the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, served as a translator to help British intelligence interview German soldiers, and earned a purple heart. He is remembered as a caring family man, and for his entrepreneurial spirit and success along with his philanthropic support in our community.
Exhibit A presents the proposed verbiage on a 12x12 plaque, which will be an estimated $1,300.00 for production and installation. The Parks and Recreation Department will be funding this plaque. All future maintenance costs of the plaque will be covered by the City.