Poul Hornsleth

1943 - 2025

Hornsleth, Poul

81, of Gulfport, Fl. passed away on April 2, 2025.

Born in 1943, in Orange, New Jersey, Poul was named after his father and proudly embraced his Danish heritage and its spelling of 'Poul'. He graduated from the Wooster School in Danbury, CT and later graduated from the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania where he met the love of his life, April Caldwell. They were married for 56 years.

After college, Poul began his lifelong dedication to civil rights by teaching high school mathematics at Edison High School in inner city Philadelphia. His work as an educator inspired his ongoing involvement with the NAACP, where he remained a steadfast advocate for expanding access to opportunities and educational choice for all.

In the early 1970s, Poul and April moved to Gulfport, Florida, her hometown, where they took over R.W. Caldwell Realty and Insurance which was founded by her grandfather in 1937, and is now the oldest real estate office in Pinellas County. Poul and April led the business with integrity and vision, becoming respected leaders in the community. Poul blended his civic-minded ideals with a deep commitment to the local area, proudly promoting both boys' and girls' Caldwell sponsored Little League teams for more than 50 years. Poul was also a keen supporter for many years of the Gulfport Lions Club and Keep Pinellas Beautiful among many other local organizations, schools and events that took place in Gulfport.

He believed deeply in the promise of America, the country's potential and the rewards that hard work could bring. Just as strongly, he believed in the power of education. "You only get one chance to educate your kids," he often said. He lived by that conviction, sending his son, Poul III, and daughter, Jody, to New England preparatory schools and later to the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Columbia University in the City of New York, respectively.

Poul took great pride in passing the family business, Gulfport's oldest, to the fourth generation when his daughter Jody assumed leadership of the real estate and property management divisions, while her husband Rob oversaw insurance. Working alongside them every day brought him great pleasure, and he cherished the opportunity to see them and members of the Caldwell family all grow the firm together.

Later in life, Poul found immense joy in becoming a grandfather. He was a devoted and playful presence in the lives of his granddaughters, Sarah and Cecilie, daughters of Jody and Rob, who affectionately called him 'Chi Chi.' Poul delighted in giving each of them special nicknames and making up songs just for them. His joy grew even deeper this past Christmas when his daughter-in-law, Rita, surprised him with the news that his expected grandson, born in January, would carry on his name as Poul IV. Being able to spend the last few months of his life seeing his newborn grandson was truly a blessing.

Poul Hornsleth leaves behind a legacy of love, patriotism, and the unwavering belief in doing what is right. He will be remembered for a life well-lived, and the values he passed on to the generations that follow.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Bethel Community Baptist Church, located at 2901 54th Avenue S., St. Petersburg. The viewing will take place at 10 am, followed by the service at 11:30 am.

Smith Funeral Home & Cremation Service

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