Emil Pavone, Jr.

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Emil Alexander Pavone, Jr on May 16, 2025, at the age of 96. Emil lived a life of deep passion for his family, his faith, his career, his community, and sailing. His humor, curiosity, and irrepressible spirit will continue to resonate in the hearts of the many people he touched.

Born on August 2, 1928, in New York City, Emil was a proud graduate of Stuyvesant High School, after which he enlisted in the army to serve as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He then completed his education on the GI Bill, earning his undergraduate degree from City College of New York and an MBA from Columbia University. He embarked on a long, successful career as a public relations executive in the liquor and wine industry. After retiring in 1990, Emil and his family moved to the Tampa Bay area, residing first in Venetian Isles and then in downtown St Petersburg.

As a young man in New York, Emil decided to take up sailing, even though he had never captained a boat. Always a keen competitor in any endeavor, he was determined not only to sail but to win. Initially with his children as his crew, his race times were so slow that there were times the committee boat had left before his boat sailed across the finish line. Over time, he became a highly skilled competitive sailor, ultimately becoming one of the top Rhodes 19 racers on Long Island Sound. After moving to the Tampa Bay area and joining the St Petersburg Yacht Club, he and his wife, Ellen, continued as highly ranked racers on a variety of types of sailboats.

Emil was also a consummate community organizer, well before that term was in vogue. In the 1970’s in New York, he was a cofounder of Alternative Pathways, a coalition of parents seeking services to avoid institutionalization of their developmentally and physically disabled children. One outcome of that effort was the creation of group homes for the developmentally disabled, which allowed his son, Theo, to remain in his local community in a family-like setting. After moving to a condominium in downtown St. Petersburg, he founded the Downtown Residents Civic Association, to advocate for the interests of the increasing number residents living in the downtown area.

For years, Emil has been a fixture at the 11am Sunday mass at St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic church, clutching his pre-Vatican II missal. He also managed to charm his way into the Nauticats women’s singing troupe at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, his baritone blending with Ellen’s soprano and the group’s other primarily female voices.

Emil is survived by his beloved wife, Ellen, his brother Robert (Sherry) as well as his four children, Carla (Morris Stockburger), Emil Pavone III known as Terry (Patti), Theodore, and David. He also leaves behind four grandchildren: Andrew and Eric Stockburger, Paige Pavone (Carl Hubben) and Tara Pavone,  as well as three great grandchildren in whom he took immense joy: Mack Pavone, Holly Hubben, and Reed Hubben.

Emil will receive a military funeral this week, which will be attended by his immediate family. Friends and extended family are invited to join a celebration of Emil's life to be held at later date.

The Pavone family is deeply grateful to the clergy and congregation of St. Mary Our Lady of Grace church as well as the staff at Empath Hospice for their incredible kindness.