Thomas David Morbitzer

Thomas David Morbitzer, a resident of Daytona Beach Shores, died peacefully on August 27, 2021 at AdventHealth Hospital, Daytona Beach, Florida. He was born on May 5, 1934 in Columbus, Ohio. Tom is a graduate of St. Mary's High School, Columbus, Ohio. Upon graduation, he joined the Don M. Casto Organization, the developer of one of the first regional shopping centers. There, he developed his passion for negotiating, but always with the goal that each party had to get a fair deal. That principle of fairness extended to his entire way of living his life. Tom had no pre-conceived notions: neither color of skin, nor mother-tongue, nor who someone loved had any place in Tom's thinking. He was a man who offered encouragement, shared knowledge willingly, and welcomed difference of opinion. In 1978, he chose to branch out on his own, and moved to Central Florida, where he owned and operated five "Cut-Ups" retail stores. Subsequently, he established Morbitzer Group, Inc.-a company specializing in shopping center management and leasing. With a group of energetic, curious and bright young people surrounding him, the firm grew to manage a portfolio of about 4.5 million square feet. In 2003, he sold the business and moved to Daytona Beach Shores, where he and his wife continued their enjoyment of working together: he as a negotiator and she as an administrator. That combination provided a sound base for growth of Morbitzer Communities, a firm specializing in the management of community associations. Tom is survived by his wife, Tina Sichel Morbitzer, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida; son Patrick T. Morbitzer, Lexington, South Carolina; daughter Susan M. Somers, Westerville, Ohio; daughter Carole A. Pleasants and her husband Scott, Ripley, USA; and daughter Kristina J. Morbitzer, Granger, Indiana. To Tom's delight, he had eleven grandchildren: Daniel Morbitzer, Charlotte, North Carolina (his wife Lauren and their children Stella Grace, Rebecca and Abigail); David Morbitzer, Charleston, South Carolina (his wife Katherine and their children Grady and Caleb); Joe Hamilton, Mishawaka, Indiana; Kayla Dever, Ormond Beach, Florida (her husband Derek and their children Sutton, Brock and Pierce); Cameron Somers, Westerville, Ohio; James Morbitzer, Port Orange, Florida (his wife Megan); Sydnie Pleasants, Orlando, Florida; Courtney Somers, Columbus, Ohio; Kimberlee Bechtel, Elkhart, Indiana (her husband Braiden and their children Lillian and Abraham); Casey Morbitzer, Port Orange, Florida; and Ren Pleasants, Orlando, Florida. Rounding out this loving family are two treasured sisters: Mary Macklin and Ann Morbitzer, both of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, as well as a number of delightful nieces and nephews. And, not to be forgotten: his two feline companions, Callie and Barron. He is pre-deceased by his father, Frank Joseph Morbitzer, his mother Viola Minnie Cassidy Morbitzer, and his sister Nancy Morbitzer Hunter. Tom was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Daytona Beach. The family thanks Father Phil and his kind members for the help they have provided during this difficult period. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 201 University Blvd, Daytona Beach, Florida at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 10, 2021. Visitation, also at the Church, will begin at 10 a.m. that same day. (Masks are required.) Funeral arrangements are in the capable hands of Dale Woodward Funeral Home, Daytona Beach (www.dalewoodwardfuneralhomes.com). If there is a desire to honor Tom, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to Doctors Without Borders, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030 (donate.doctorswithoutborders.org); or Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825 (savethechildren.org); or ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), PO Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929 (aspca.org/ways-to-give) "If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever." - Winnie the Pooh