That was a big part of the message from speakers Friday at a “celebration of life” at Kent-Forest Lawn chapel Friday afternoon. Whitehead died Saturday, Feb. 1, at age 83.
“His heart was as big as this room,” Mayor Greg Brudnicki told funeral attendees. “And he’d share his success — either with time, with talent or with treasure — with all kinds of
Family, friends, current and former politicians, and business partners reminisced on the life of one of the most influential people to come out of the region.
Dim lights added a golden glow throughout the chapel and reflected off flower arrangements at either side of the podium. It was a bright day, it seemed. And everyone was proud to have known the man they came to remember.
Whitehead was the longtime owner of Cook-Whitehead Ford and served two terms as chairman of the
Letters of appreciation and farewell were read on behalf of notable men who did not attend the ceremony. Past Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, also Sen. Bill Nelson and other officials sent letters. Each letter stated Whitehead was no ordinary politician or businessman — he was humble, giving and easy to talk to.
“I cannot say how many number of times I contacted Charles, especially those years as attorney general,” said former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth. “I’d pick up the phone — all I’d have to say would be: Charles, I need your advice.
“And as much as necessary, he gave me advice,” he said. “I might not have liked it, but he gave it.”
For those who
There was a story of how he gave two little boys $20 at a church picnic where after several attempts to hit a target, they found their arms weren’t good enough to hit the bull’s eye.
And there was the time he made sure an elderly woman unable to leave her home would have food to eat for the rest of her life.
“The countless times that he helped family and friends, helped people get jobs, help people go to college, pay for college tuition,” Brudnicki said. “When there was a financial crisis, he was there, quietly doing things and making things better for people.”
The stories are true, though Whitehead himself
“Charles’ legacy goes well beyond a government program or a chapter in a