TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Retiree Named Plant City's Citizen Of The Year

ADVERTISEMENT

By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 18, 2009

Updated: 02/18/2009 02:56 pm

PLANT CITY - Bruce Rodwell, a 72-year-old retiree whose volunteer work keeps him busier than when he was owner-operator of a local produce business, was named today as Plant City's Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

Friends and relatives worked tirelessly to keep the award a secret from the honoree, a tradition since it was established in 1960.

"There was no way he knew this," his wife, Margaret, said after the luncheon at the Red Rose Ballroom. "This was complete shock."

"I was honored and overwhelmed," conceded her husband, recognized for his volunteer work for everything from area hospitals to the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.

The Rodwells came here in 1996 from Pennsylvania, where for three decades Bruce was a produce buyer for Agway. "I came down here to set up a strawberry operation," which he did for seven years, providing the city's popular fruit to distant markets.

In addition to the honor, many of the guests were a surprise for the honoree. The Rodwells' daughters, Brenda Lacrosse of Rochester, N.Y. and Linda Hackler of Myrtle Beach, S.C., were hiding among the crowd of about 200 diners.

The event organized by the Plant City Kiwanis Club has grown over the years, with additional civic associations joining to support the program, which is not a fundraiser. The local clubs nominate candidates and a panel composed of a representative of each club selects a winner.

Previous winners include the late James L. Redman, City Commissioner Mike Sparkman and the late Paul Buchman.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT