Bruce Canova

AUBURNDALE -- Bruce Canova, Auburndale's singing city manager for 32 years, died Tuesday of complications from appendix surgery and pneumonia. He was 83. Canova was born May 24, 1919, in Campville in Alachua County and later moved with his parents and bro-thers to Auburndale. He moved to Ocala, where he graduated high school and met his wife, Marie. Canova applied for the city manager position in 1956 after working for 15 years with the Seaboard Airline Railroad as chief clerk. When he was hired, he was paid $5,000 annually. When he retired in 1988, he was paid $41,000. His 32-year tenure with the city of Auburndale was one of the longest of any city manager in the state. One of his greatest pleasures was music. Canova was a professional vocalist and saxophone player. During Army service in World War II, he would take his saxophone into foxholes. His daughter, entertainer Joni Canova, said the saxophone saved her father's life. Right before his battalion was attacked in the Battle of the Bulge, Canova left the front lines after receiving orders to play for the injured in the military hospitals. His love of music almost cost him his job, too. In 1971 he was placed on three months' probation by city commissioners who were concerned he wasn't devoting full time to the job. Canova played in local bands in the Winter Haven and Auburndale area. Commissioners learned he was playing until the early morning hours at nightclubs and coming to the office late. But the only thing that could stop him from playing was arthritis in 1972. Canova retired in 1989, and the Auburndale High School football stadium was dedicated in his name. He briefly managed the Carefree RV Country Club that same year. Canova was an avid fisherman and enjoyed feeding the ducks at area lakes. But he couldn't stand sea gulls. Canova was commended in 1987 when he brought attention to sea gull droppings at the municipal beach in Lake Ariana. He had sprinklers, which scared the sea gulls away, placed on the beach and dock area. Canova regularly joined his daughter at the Sea Flame Restaurant in Winter Haven to perform a couple of tunes. He performed "Make the World Go Away" and "Have I Told You Lately." Those who knew Canova said he was a pillar of the community. Auburndale Mayor Marvin Wiley rented a place for $75 a month from Canova when he moved to Auburndale in 1960. Canova hired Wiley as the city's recreation director. "He was a father figure," Wiley said. "He would make you feel good." City Manager Bobby Green, who was mayor and city commissioner before taking the manager's job, said Canova was a nice guy. "After he retired, he would call to give me pointers, and I would call him to seek advice," he said. Former Winter Haven City Manager Carl Cheatham first met Canova in June 1969 when he became Lake Wales city manager. It was his first city manager position, and Cheatham said Canova provided a lot of guidance. "He was well thought of in Auburndale and well thought of in the profession," Cheatham said. "He's just a great fellow, and I'm sorry to hear about his death." Canova was preceded in death by his wife, Marie; daughter, Virginia Bruce Canova; and brother, Nolan Canova. He is survived by his twin brother, Bert Canova, Yalaha; daughters, Joni Canova, Auburndale, and Patty McNeer, Lake Alfred; son, Bruce "Buddy" Canova Jr., Auburndale; three grandchildren; and one greatgrandchild. Visitation will be Friday and funeral services will be Saturday but arrangements were incomplete Tuesday evening. Kersey Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Merissa Green can be reached at merissa.green@theledger.com or at 863-293-3017.