Raymond Eugene Bassett

Raymond Eugene Bassett, 80, a resident of Tierra Verde since 1990, died suddenly on Wednesday, September 4th. A master photographer, he was well known and trusted by families and companies in the Tampa Bay Area for more than 60 years. Ray photographed bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, business portraits, passport photos, corporate work and attended many convention and trade shows. He was also an avid pilot from a young age (learning to fly at Albert Whitted Airport) and did countless aerial photography for clients, including some spectacular wide terrain photos of the early days on Tierra Verde.

A graduate of Dixie Hollins High School, Ray grew up in the Childs Park area, the oldest of five children. He’s survived by his wife of 29 years, Janis Froelich, daughter Angela Bassett, and stepchildren, Britta (Marc Spanke) and Mark Froelich (Christa). He was beloved by his four grandchildren, Clare and Halle Spanke and Lindsay and Jack Froelich. The four of them always put a smile on his stoic face.

Ray began working at Maddock Photography in 1963 and eventually bought the business in 1984. He was a dedicated business owner, often working seven days-a-week. True to form, he passed on a day in which he put in a full day’s work.

From January 1966 to December 1967, he was in the U.S. Army serving in Germany where he was the unofficial intelligence staff photographer. In 1971, he founded Florida Video, which went on to take the first videotaped deposition in Florida. Recently, a large part of his business was video tape transfer, plus old 8mm to digital.

Ray was a big part of his island community, photographing kids and folks (and pets) with Santa at Tierra Verde’s tree lighting each December. He and Janis also drove their vintage Mercedes Benz about the beach neighborhoods. The couples often combined their professions – Ray the photographer and Janis the writer – to produce photos and stories of their world travels. Ray was also known for his smoker – turning out delicious steel head trout, salmon and chicken. Ray will be much missed by his condo neighbors, co-hosting pool parties two or three times a year. The dogs in the Sandbar condo community will miss “Ray’s treats”, which were readily available for any passing by on their nightly stroll.

A Private Celebration of Life will take place at a later date .