Claude Azell Prince

Prince, Claude, ?Azell, Jr., 92, of St. Petersburg, died Friday, September 9, 2005 at home. A 61 year resident of St. Petersburg and the last surviving employee of Thomas Alva Edison having worked as Mr. Edison?s personal assistant from 1930 until his death, and thereafter for the Edison Foundation in the recording and preservation of rubber experimentation data. Born in Lynchburg, TN, he moved to St. Petersburg in 1943 to continue his civilian war work as a paymaster for a construction company that built military bases. From 1945 until retiring in 1973, he was a regional manager for Sinclair Refining Company. He was a co-owner of Perma House Interiors, and a co-owner, and co-founder of Salt Creek Artworks in St. Petersburg. He co-founded Benedict Haven, a home for the mentally challenged men, and was a member of the Pasadena Community Church. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Bishop Prince; a daughter Patricia Prince Burgess, St. Petersburg; a son, Gerald Moore Prince, Kinston, N.C.; 5 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren, and a nephew. Anderson-McQueen Funeral and Cremation Centers, Northeast Chapel.