Eldridge Eugene Bravo Jr. Obituary
Published by Blount & Curry Funeral
Home at Garden of Memories On July 18, 2014, we lost a loving husband,
father and friend, Eldridge E. Bravo, Jr. A Tampa native, and eighth
generation Floridian, he was born in Tampa on April 11, 1938, and was the
only child of Eldridge and Beatrice Bravo. The family lived in Seminole
Heights and he was a graduate of Hillsborough High School and member of the
Class of 1956. While attending Florida State University he lettered in
Gymnastics, competing in the rings and pommel horse. His career began as
assistant manager of Publix in Tampa. In 1968, Eldridge joined Xerox Corp
where he excelled in sales and earned many promotions in management and
executive leadership positions before venturing out as co-owner of
Dollar-Rent-A-Car Systems in 1979. After many successful years of building
the organization with his lifelong friend and partner George Knutsson they
sold the company to Chrysler Corporation in 1991. Afterward he formed,
owned and operated A1 Vending Services until his passing. During his life
he was also a successful entrepreneur. He had a keen interest in music and
published the original music of artists including Celine Dion, Paul
Rodgers, 38 Special, Johnnie Van Zandt, The J. Geils Band, and Downes &
Price among many others. Always an avid sports enthusiast he enjoyed golf,
boating, fishing, scuba diving, history and genealogy. His dear friends,
family and all who knew him for his quit wit, kind heart and infectious
smile dearly loved him. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of
twelve years Barbara, son Eldridge Bravo III, daughter Leslie Fowler, her
husband Chip Fowler, and grandchildren; Samantha and Nicole Fowler, Abigail
and Noah Bravo.
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