David Robert Rathbun

David Robert Rathbun was born on June 14, 1956, in Stoneham, MA, to Charles and Eleanor Rathbun. As the eldest of six children, whose father was a teacher/minister for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, David spent his childhood and youth moving across the country, living in places such as San Diego, CA, Hartford, CT, Rochester, NY, New Market, VA, and eventually returning to Stoneham. With a deep passion for people, sports, and music, David thrived both academically and athletically, most notably excelling in basketball. He attended Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster, MA, and Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN, where he earned a BS in Physical Education. David then moved to Tampa, FL, where he spent most of his adult life. He taught at Tampa Seventh Day Adventist Junior Academy for several years before returning to school to earn a BS in Nursing.

David discovered his passion for fine dining and hospitality while working at Lorenzo’s Italian Restaurant in Tampa, during his time in nursing school. He later joined Olive Garden, where he quickly rose through the ranks into management. Over the next several years, he managed locations in Daytona Beach, FL, Evansville, IN, St. Louis, MO, and Tampa, FL. David then transitioned to Carrabba's in Tampa, earning the prestigious Southeast Manager of the Year award. He later opened and managed the Stonewood Grill and Tavern in New Tampa, overseeing its operations for 17 years. Most recently, he joined the Bella Brava family in Land O' Lakes where he found a new home.

David loved his coworkers and was deeply passionate about coaching his staff, guiding them to develop valuable skills that would not only benefit their careers in the industry but also serve them well in other fields and throughout their life.

David had a genuine love for his customers and took great pride in ensuring every guest had a memorable and enjoyable experience. His warm personality, attention to detail, and sincere care for others made people feel welcomed and valued. Over the years, he built countless meaningful and lasting relationships with his patrons—many of whom became close friends. For David, hospitality wasn’t just a profession; it was a way to connect with people and make a positive impact on their lives.

David developed a profound love for animals and opened his heart and home to many over the years. He cared for a variety of pets—including dogs, cats, and birds—with unwavering affection, treating each one as a beloved member of the family.

Despite the demands of his career, David always prioritized the people he loved. He made a point to stay connected with family and friends, carving out time to be present in their lives no matter how busy he was. He treasured those moments—whether gathered around a dinner table or chatting on the phone—and had a remarkable ability to make others feel truly seen and appreciated. With his quick wit, infectious humor, and gift for playful banter, David could effortlessly light up any room. His conversations weren’t just exchanges of words; they were moments of warmth, laughter, and heartfelt connection that left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

In his final years, David experienced a deepening of his faith and grew ever closer to God. He found strength, peace, and purpose in daily devotionals, often reflecting on the messages that touched his heart. These spiritual insights were not kept to himself—David felt called to share them with others, regularly passing along devotionals to his family and his brothers and sisters in faith. Through these small but meaningful gestures, he quietly and consistently spread God’s love, offering encouragement, comfort, and a reminder of grace to those around him. His faith became a guiding light, not only for himself, but for all who were blessed to witness it.

A passionate sports enthusiast throughout his life, David has collected favorite teams from the places he’s lived. Though his heart remains loyal to his roots as a die-hard Boston Red Sox and Celtics fan, and always a Dodger fan, he has wholeheartedly embraced Tampa’s vibrant sports scene. Over time, he’s become an enthusiastic supporter of the Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning, cheering them on with the same energy and devotion. For David, an ideal day would begin with a spirited round of golf among close friends, followed by an evening spent at a stadium or arena, taking in the electric atmosphere of a game—surrounded by even more friends and fellow fans.

David is survived by his wife Gina (Martini) Rathbun, her daughter Emily (Wingate) Barreira and her husband Ryan along with 5 siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.

His siblings include John Rathbun (Jackie), Paul Rathbun (Marilyn), Martha Peddle (Michael), Mark Rathbun (Mary), Mary DeSantis (Michael).

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bella Brava, located in The Hub at Bexley, 16722 Focus Lp, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638, from 1pm to 5pm on Monday, July 14th for friends and family of David to all come together.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you consider donating to his wife, Gina’s GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden during this incredibly difficult time. Your generosity will help cover essential care and living expenses as she adjusts to this new chapter without David.

https://gofund.me/e601ce15