History

Don Felipe Segarra Serra was born in Ponce in 1900, the fifth child in a family of 16 siblings. Through a lot of sacrifice he was able to reach the sixth grade. A chance meeting with friends who spoke to him about their professional study plans is what motivated him to then create a goal plan for achieving success in life.

Don Felipe's humble origins served as incentive for his entrepreneurial spirit, making possible his professional success as a real estate agent without a degree or formal education. In line with his philanthropic conscience, Don Felipe was also a businessman committed to serving the Puerto Rican community. Both his companies and Don Felipe, in his personal capacity, sponsored charitable activities. Among many recognitions of his merits, he was prestigiously honored by the Ponce Chamber of Commerce.

His wife, Doña Amelia Boerman Marrero, also a native of Ponce, was one of the founders of Hogar del Niño. In addition, she was President of the Children's Hospital and President of the Red Cross. Doña Amelia received many national and international honors throughout her life, including the Certificate of Merit from the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer, the Star and Cross of Honor from The American Council and Senate, the Silver Medal from The American International Academy and the Gold Medal from the Executive Committee of Elders.

The most beautiful work from this pair of philanthropists was the construction of a lounge for spouses in the Asilo de Ancianos Desamparados in Puerta de Tierra. Don Felipe and Doña Amelia felt so lucky to have always been able to be together that they wanted to create a place where couples who had spent a lifetime together would not be forced to separate once they were in the nursing home. Don Felipe and Doña Amelia had two children who grew up and were educated in an environment of profound generosity. In 1973 the Segarra Boerman family created FSB to further their philanthropic work.