Moss Feaster Funeral Home Clearwater Chapel
http://www.mossfeasterclearwater.com
passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at the age of 97. He was born on February 1, 1925 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the only child of Greek Immigrants. Gus served in the 94th Infantry Division in Patton's Third Army where he was wounded in battle in January 1945 in Germany. He was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. After the war he graduated from Columbia University in 1948. He married the love of his life and lifelong partner, Frances Louise Shaw in March 1948. In 1958 he moved his family to Florida and settled in Clearwater. He started Better Business Forms in 1960 with three partners which grew to 500 employees. As the sole owner, he sold the company to Progress Energy in 1984. That was the beginning of his life as a community leader and philanthropist. Gus was instrumental in the founding of the Pinellas Education Foundation, Enterprise Village and Finance Park, Biz Town and Finance Park at Junior Achievement, the Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education at the University of South Florida and Florida State University, Ruth Eckerd Hall, the Palladium Theater and the Tampa Bay Rays. He also served on the Florida University System Board of Governors. He also lent his time, treasure and talent to numerous local, state, national and international organizations. He received many awards including three honorary doctorates, FSU, USF and Webber International University, the first Florida Free Enterpriser of the Year 1982, Mr. Clearwater, Mr. Sun, and an inductee in the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. Gus is preceded by his wife of 68 years, Frances and survived by his three children, Ellen, Paul and his close friend Peter Becker and Mark and his partner Beth Bailey, two grandchildren, Alexandra and Nicholas and two great grandchildren, Madison and Rowan. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Clearwater on November 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Pinellas Education Foundation (pinellaseducation.org) or the Gus A. Stavros Centers at USF or FSU. For online condolences, please visit:
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