Syde Deeb
Syde Deeb
Full Name:  Syde Patrick Deeb
     Born:  November 27, 1913, Tallahassee, Fla.
     Died:  June 17, 1985, Tallahassee, Fla.

Legacy Bricks:  Legacy Walk Map Link
   1993 Moore-Stone Award HOF - Loc 66


FSU Career
Moore-Stone Award

                                                                 


Member of the FSU Hall of Fame
Elected into the FSU Hall of Fame in 1993
Syde Deeb's home was the beautiful southern city of Tallahassee, Florida. Born and raised in the community decorated with thick oaks dripping of Spanish moss, Syde cared deeply for Tallahassee, The Florida State University and the people who were a part of it.

A graduate of Leon High School and the University of Florida, Deeb is remembered for his gracious generosity toward The Florida State University. He was a true philanthropist whose charitable contributions were wide-ranging.

He endowed a one million dollar chair to the Political Science school along with establishing a memorial scholarship at FSU for his late son, Joseph. In addition, Deeb gave substantially to the Center Treatment Center in Tallahassee.

Syde Deeb was a charter member of the FSU Alumni Association Century Club. In 1966 he was selected as one of the first "Friends of Florida State University," an award bestowed by FSU students to those who have made major contributions to their university.

Deeb's generosity was felt on the campus of Florida A&M, as well, with donations to that university's scholarship fund. In 1973 his financial contribution helped FSU initiate construction of a new athletic facility.

Deeb's interest in athletics was evident around his beloved Tallahassee. He served as President and Director of Seminole Boosters. He was also a member of the Gator Bowl Committee. For three decades he personally financed trips for the entire Leon High School football team and coaches to Gator Bowl games.

Syde Deeb's friendship knew no boundaries and included the likes of governors, university personnel, state officials...and especially FSU coaches and players.


Obituary for Syde Patrick Deeb

From the Tallahassee Democrat, June 18, 1985, page 5.

Philanthropist, builder Deeb dies after illness

Democrat staff report

Syde Patrick Deeb, whose construction company built more homes in Tallahassee after World War II than any other single company, died Monday at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center's Extended Care facility.

Deeb, 71, had been ill for several months.

Q well-known philanthropist, Deeb's generosity was wide ranging. Beneficiaries ranged from Leon High School, whose football team and coaches he sent to the Gator Bowl each year, to Florida State University, where he endowed a $1-million chair for political science. He also established a memorial scholarship at FSU in memory of his late sone, Joseph Patrick Deeb.

Deeb also gave substantial amounts to start a cancer-treatment center, named after his late wife, Angie C. Deeb, at Tallahassee Memorial.

Deeb, a Tallahassee native, began his own development and building business, Deeb Builders Inc., in 1939. He served in the Corps of Engineers during World War II, and then returned home to build in earnest, with projects in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Marianna, Daytona Beach, several Georgia towns and Puerto Rico.

Deeb was part owner in several other businesses, including local wholesale grocers, building, surgical, and institutional supply firms, and an engineering company.

Deeb was an influential patron to both the University of Florida, where he attended school, and Florida State University. He served on the Gator Bowl Committee from its inception in 1950, and was also president and director of the Seminole Booster Club. He was an officer and board member of the Tallahassee Quarterback Club.

A lifelong Democrat, Deeb was a friend to Florida governors and state officials.

Locally, he served on the Tallahassee Housing Authority, the American Red Cross, and was an avid supporter of the North Florida Fair.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and a complete list of survivors is not yet available. Meadow Wood Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



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