Mr. Harry H. Root Jr.

HARRY H. ROOT, JR., 94, departed this life on Friday, May 1, 2009, leaving behind a loving family and host of friends who will miss his winning smile, his wealth of entertaining golf stories and his exemplary character. He was a true gentleman. Born on February 23, 1915, in Plant City, Florida, Harry attended Gorrie Elementary, Wilson Junior High and Plant High schools in Tampa and the University of Florida, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was involved in a number of businesses during his lifetime, including wholesale produce, banana importing and golf club manufacturer’s representative. He retired as chairman of Gulf Southern Industries, Inc., a food packaging brokerage company. Harry also served on the board of directors of Kysor Industries, Inc., and Shop & Go, Inc. Harry was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Viola Taylor Root, his second wife, Wynogene Miller Root, and his parents, Harry Root Sr. and Addie Thompson Root. He is survived and will be missed by his son, Harry Root III, and wife Marlene, of Tampa, and their children, Harry Root IV and wife Nicki, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Taylor Root and wife Katie of Birmingham, AL, Tammy Bertron and husband Stewart of Tampa, Kelli Whitehead of Eufaula, AL, and Shannon Lewis and husband Matt of Richmond, VA; his son, Tommy Root and his wife Conchita of Tampa; and his daughter, Virginia Cummings, and her husband Stephen, of Chestnut Hill, MA, and their sons, Christopher Cummings of New York City and Tommy Cummings of Chestnut Hill. “Papa Root� leaves eight great-grandchildren, Isabel, Oliver and Abbott Root, Maggie Root, Thompson and Cameron Bertron, Monroe and Palmer Whitehead and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The family will be forever grateful for the love and care given Papa by his friend and caregiver, Michelle LaFleur, by the staff at Canterbury Tower Health Center and by the Gold Team of Lifepath Hospice. An avid and accomplished golfer, Harry was 10-time Tampa City Match Play champion, 6-time Palma Ceia Golf Club match play champion and twice runner-up in the Florida State Golf Association Match Play Championship. He and partner, Jim Lee, won the International 4-Ball Championship over an amateur field that included the team of Jack Nicklaus and Dean Beman. Harry also served as president of the Florida State Golf Association and as a USGA Committeeman, and he was instrumental in the formation of the LPGA. He would entertain family and friends with his unique golf stories, such as playing a round with baseball great Babe Ruth in a tournament at Bellaire Country Club in Clearwater, or having Bobby Jones recognize him and vouch to a security guard that he was indeed a contestant in the U. S. Open when he had misplaced his player’s badge. Harry was a lifelong member and past president of Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club and a former member of Lone Palm Golf Club, National Association of Food Research (“Redcoats�), Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla, Rotary Club of Tampa and other organizations. A private family memorial service will be held, and there will be a reception celebrating Harry’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Lifepath Hospice or a charity of your choice.