I keep in mind very clearly the day Bella Courageous common supervisor Tina Stormer referred to as to inform me that my pal and former long-time Stonewood Grill & Tavern managing companion Dave Rathbun had handed away on the age of 69.
The primary telephone name I made instantly after I instructed Jannah was to present Stonewood Grill managing companion Dennis Diaz to ask him what, if something, he deliberate to do as a way to give all of Dave’s seemingly 1000’s of long- time clients and buddies a chance to pay their respects and share their love for Dave.
Apparently, I wasn’t alone. Once I requested Dennis how many individuals had referred to as to ask him the identical query, he stated “All people! However, I don’t know his household and even the way to get in contact with them.”
I didn’t both, however I discovered Dave’s step-daughter Emily Barreira on Fb and instructed her that though I knew Bella Brava — the place Dave was working the final yr+ — was planning a “Celebration of Life” for him on the restaurant situated off S.R. 54 close to the Veterans Expy., I used to be involved that almost all of his Stonewood clients wouldn’t be in attendance at that occasion.
So, I requested Emily to speak to her mother (and Dave’s really beloved widow) Gina to see if it could be OK for me to place collectively a second Celebration of Life for Dave. She received again to me and stated it could be advantageous to try this and that she and her mother would attempt to be there for it.
As we reported final situation, the Bella Brava occasion was an incredible recap of Dave’s too-short life, which additionally included his three brothers and two sisters and what appeared to be a minimum of 300- 400 individuals — together with a couple of of his New Tampa “peeps.” Amongst these in attendance have been Dennis Diaz and Stonewood’s government chef Danny Manzur. Collectively, we set the date for Stone- wooden’s “In Remembrance of Dave” occasion for 2 weeks later — July 28 — which I introduced on the entrance cowl of our final New Tampa situation.
Though I hoped to carry the occasion someday after 5 p.m., Stonewood wanted to carry it at 1 p.m., and though that point might have saved the attendance down considerably, what came about was precisely what I had hoped for — an exquisite celebration of a deeply cherished man, with nice meals offered primarily by Stonewood but in addition by a few of the attendees and naturally, nice tales a few man all of them knew and cherished.
So, someplace between 60-70 individuals got here three hours earlier than Stonewood opened on July 28. There was meals and bar stools and cubicles full of individuals, with a few of the plaques, awards and images Dave obtained through the years.
And, Emily and Gina weren’t solely on-hand (they’re within the high photograph, with Stonewood’s Danny Manzur, far left, and Dennis Diaz, far proper, and a number of other different of the restaurant’s staff who helped make the occasion successful), additionally they introduced alongside the reminiscence board that additionally was on show on the Bella Brava occasion.
The Neighborhood Information sponsored the opening spherical of drinks and one among Dave’s long-time clients introduced alongside a remembrance visitor e book that most people in attendance signed.
Everybody talked about how Dave all the time knew not simply everybody’s identify, however the place they most popular to take a seat, what meals and drinks they normally had and greater than a lit- tle data about every particular person’s job, household, and so on.
“Dave undoubtedly had a present,” stated long-time buyer and pal Debby Amon. “He was simply such an exquisite man.”
A lot of these readily available on the Stonewood occasion knew Dave from when he labored on the Carrabba’s Italian Grill on N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace earlier than he helped open Stonewood.
Listed here are just some excerpts from the “In Loving Reminiscence of Dave” visitor e book. I truthfully can’t learn all the signatures, so I gained’t embrace any of the signers’ names right here — however you all know who you might be and what you stated:
“We misplaced a really outstanding man – somebody whose presence lit up each room, each shift & each coronary heart that walked into Stonewood. As GM, he wasn’t only a chief, he was the heartbeat of the place. He had a present for making everybody really feel seen & valued – whether or not you have been a longtime buyer or a first-time customer. He by no means met a stranger & he by no means let a day go by with out a heat smile, a mild hug, or a sort phrase. His staff adored him, not only for how he led, however for the way he cared. He constructed a household, not only a crew & that love ran deep. His pleasure was infectious, his coronary heart was monumental & his legacy is etched into the lives of everybody fortunate sufficient to know him. We’ll miss him dearly, however will carry his gentle ahead. It was an honor to name him our pal.”
“I grew up in [the Rathbun family’s] neighborhood. Yearly once I’d do the meals drive, David was so fantastic & charitable. At all times had a smile on his face & instructed us to come back to Stonewood. He & his beneficiant spirit can be missed.”
“We skilled Dave’s kindness & generosity of spirit on many events. He has served for instance in our lives for what it means to dwell your religion with simplicity & authenticity. Dave had the center of a real angel. All his staff all the time commented that he was the perfect boss they ever had & we all know why.”
“Dave was a person in contrast to anybody now we have ever met. Really particular. He touched individuals’s lives in ways in which left an eternal impression.”
“Dave was the dearest particular person we met upon relocating to Tampa. Whereas we have been new, Dave made us really feel like previous buddies, or higher but FAMILY! And, to Dave’s household, thanks for sharing Dave with us!”
“Dave skilled my sister when she began as a waitress for Carrabba’s. I noticed him ceaselessly via the Stonewood days & extra just lately performed golf with him & realized of his transition to Bella Brava. You possibly can’t ask for a greater man or restaurant supervisor. His religious progress was very inspirational to me. We now have been religious brothers since. You may be doing nice issues up there!”
“Emily & Gina – We cherished Dave a lot. From years in the past at Stonewood to our lengthy conversations in Publi to all the time visiting him at Bella Brava.”
