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Herbert Carrington, 107, yacht club icon

By JONATHAN MILTON
Published April 27, 2006

TAMPA - Herbert D. Carrington Sr. spent more than 60 of his 107 years in the sphere of Tampa's business leaders and elite society, collecting a lifetime of stories - and no small handful of friends.

Mr. Carrington, who retired at age 105 after years as a maitre d' at the Tampa Yacht Club, died Monday (April 24, 2006) after a battle with prostate cancer.

Mr. Carrington served as an inspiration to many around him with his natural love of people, family and friends said.

"Herbert is a gentle man and a gentleman. There is no better way I can explain him," said Harry Mains, general manager of the yacht club.

"He just makes everyone around him feel special. He was one of the wonders of the world," said his daughter-in-law Luella Carrington of Tampa. "For him not to have a formal education, he could run rings around anybody."

Over his years of working at the yacht club, he became close to many of Tampa's prominent residents and their families.

"I loved Herbert. I took him to ball games. He was just a wonderful person, and I really will miss him," said friend and New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Mr. Carrington also was an avid gardener who loved to share the fruits of his labor.

One of those people he shared his treasures with was former Tampa mayor Sandy Freedman, whom he provided a constant supply of snapdragons.

"He knew I loved flowers. I knew Herbert and his family for years and he was always dapper," said Freedman. "He would always have a coffee can full of Gerber daisies and snapdragons for me."

He started work at the Yacht Club in 1942, watching generations of employees and patrons pass through.

"He was an inspiration to me," Mains said. "I have only known him 18 years, but I was proud to be associated with him and have him as an employee."

Born in Beachton, Ga., Mr. Carrington was raised on his grandparents' farm. At an early age he realized farm life wasn't for him and by 14 he left home to find work up north. Because of the cold weather, he eventually wound up moving to the area in 1917 where he made Tampa his permanent home.

Once in the area, he worked on the Gandy Bridge during its early stages.

"He was one of the few who knew how to read and write, and they put him in the tool crib doing inventory for the tools," said his son, Herbert Carrington Jr. of Tampa.

His family members say he was known for his optimistic view on life and that he always emphasized the importance of education to his grandchildren.

Even though he was a centenarian and then some, Mr. Carrington held on to his drive and energy.

His family remembers how he always spoke of plans to build houses on the properties he owned.

"He kept telling me that he had these three vacant lots and that he wanted to build three houses with three bedrooms and two baths. If he had been able to get around, he would have done it because he was still obsessed with long-term planning," said Luella Carrington.

In 1993, Mr. Carrington underwent surgery to replace his aortic valve..

"His recuperative period was short, and I called him the bionic man," recalled Luella Carrington. "Although he had prostate cancer, he was not in a lot of pain. The doctors were amazed. I was convinced that he would live forever."

Survivors include two sons, Herbert and Roland, both of Tampa; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Ray Williams Funeral Home, Tampa. A funeral service will be held at noon at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 1203 N Nebraska Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Herbert D. Carrington Sr. Scholarship Fund in care of the Knights of Peter Claver Council 379, 1203 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33602.

Jonathan Milton can be reached at 226-3374 or at milton@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 27, 2006, 02:19:43]