Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 2-19-16 Edition

Local
Tampa Bay Times Will Print The Tampa Tribune
Funeral Industry Has Fulfilled Tampa Man Life’s Dream
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
As part of a five-year contract with Tampa Media Group, owners of the Tampa Tribune, the Tampa Bay Times will begin print- ing that publication.
Starting this month, the Times will begin its transi- tion toward printing all edi- tions and weekly sections of the Tribune and its affiliate publications and commer- cial printing partners.
The Times has been ex- panding its commercial printing business over the past few years.
Tampa Bay Times Com- munications Director, Jounice Nealy-Brown, said as far as the Times is concerned, they are always happy to expand their print- ing operations.
“All publications don’t have printing facilities. What makes this unusual is
the two papers are competi- tors.
“It’s not unusual on a na- tional level as larger publi- cations have been doing this for decades.”
Ms. Brown said there may be some impact on em- ployees with the Tribune, and they will definitely be hiring more people.
“Right now, the only agreement we have with the Tribune involves printing.
“I don’t know how long discussions have been going on to do this, but they prob- ably started after the Trib- une was sold to developers. Their press is still inside their building, and the de- velopers will probably move it later.”
Ms. Brown said all of the printing will take place at their St. Petersburg loca- tion, and the Tribune will continue to distribute their publication to their ven- dors.
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
When Pastor Robert Sturgis was 8 years old, he attended a funeral service for his father in his hometown of Salisbury, Mary- land. He said it was then he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
“I started as a teenager working for the same funeral home that handled the service for my father, Jolly Memorial Funeral Home.
“At the age of 14, I was in charge of clean- ing, and taking care of the cars and the chapel. When I turned 16, I was allowed to drive the flower car during funeral services.”
Pastor Sturgis came to Florida in 1989, and to Tampa the following year. A year later, he started working in Tampa’s funeral indus- try, and hasn’t looked back since.
“I’ve been a licensed minister for more than 30 years, starting when I was 15 years old. My duties were administrative, and as an atten- dant and clergy.
“Working as a helper at funeral homes, and with the experienced I’d gained, I decided to pursue my dream of being a licensed funeral director. I’m in the funeral services program at St. Petersburg College.”
Pastor Sturgis said he began to see other opportunities in the funeral industry and
that’s when he began employment with the largest funeral provider in the United States, Dignity Memorial.
“That was in 2015, and at Dignity Memo- rial, I’m a pre-arrangement advisor. This en- ables me to prearrange funeral and burial options at any of our locations in Florida.
“I’m busier now than ever, and enjoying every minute of it. I want to make sure people can contact me for consultations. I’m available to share information one-on-one, or in group sessions, and explain how it benefits the family to prearrange services. I’m there to help.”
PASTOR ROBERT STURGIS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A