David Berolzheimer

January 9, 1935 – May 17, 2019

David Berolzheimer, age 84 of Largo, Florida passed away peacefully on May 17, 2019.

David was born in Evanston, Illinois on January 9th, 1935. In 1953, after graduating from Stanton Military Academy in Virginia, he moved to Tarpon springs to live with his Aunt and Uncle and to attend St. Petersburg Junior College. David then followed his passion to learn through experience and travel. His first major purchase was a small mobile home which he relocated to Largo to begin his long life within the area.

This first homestead allowed him the opportunity and flexibility to follow his passion to experience the world and gain experience in various businesses. He was a partner in an automobile dealership in Clearwater known as Vitese, the first import automobile dealership in Pinellas County. His ownership in Vitese allowed him to enjoy good times over several years in the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) racing circuit. With his modest homestead in Largo as a home base, he pursued extended trips throughout the world. He funded these journeys in the 1960’s by working many interesting jobs, including working in a Kabbutz in Israel and crossing Siberia in a rail car. He pursued these experiences not as a “checklist” or what has been more recently coined as a “bucket list”, but instead to enrich his life and experience the world at an early age. He added to his pursuit of travel and experience by acquiring his pilot’s license at the St. Pete Clearwater Airport, then exploring the United States from end to end in a mid-1940’s Taylor Craft airplane with his lifelong friend, Jim Cotter. After traveling the world and piloting this small plane throughout the United States, he returned to acquire and live aboard Comrad, a 60’ sailboat in Clearwater Harbor, decommissioned from the U.S. Military where it had been used as a submarine hunter in WWII.

David pursued real estate and investment opportunities throughout Pinellas County, but mostly in the greater Largo area. He built a modest home in 1966, where he lived and worked until his passing. In 1974, he purchased “The Plaza 100” shopping center in Belleair Bluffs. Through many economic cycles and demographic changes to the greater Belleair Bluffs area, David worked hard to make sure that The Plaza was relevant to the shopping and dining needs of his community. His ownership of 45 years saw many changes in the community and David responded with updates to the shopping center. His constant desire was for the betterment of the community and for all who worked and lived there. He was so very grateful for his lifetime of wonderful experiences and opportunities and always believed in giving back to others. He was instrumental in the planning and development of the Largo Cultural Arts Center (presently known as the Central Park Performing Arts Center) and Largo Central Park during its development in the 1990’s. David loved life to the fullest and was a wonderful example of living in the present. He was grateful for all those people and experiences which enriched his life and always tried to enrich the lives of those around him. David will be greatly missed but his wisdom, kindness and gentle spirit will be remembered forever.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Isobel Carothers and Howard Berolzheimer of Evanston, Illinois and survived by his sweetheart and companion of 45 years, Bonnie J. Starr. Also surviving David are his extended family, Michael Starr, Noreen, Heather and Ryan Parker and his many long-time friends. He will take with him a part of the many hearts that knew him.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 1st 2019 at 1:00pm at Anona United Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, FL, 33774 and a “Gathering to Remember” for friends and family will take place immediately after his service at the Central Park Performing Arts Center, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL, 33771. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered to a charity of your choice.