Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 19

St. Petersburg Times Thursday, November 12, 2009 I SB ws Front tbafroiit page rtrJTTIIJ? rrrr PRIEST BEATING continued from IB mm wm Photo by JASON LUDWIG Special to the Times Father Alexios Marakis, a Greek Orthodox priest, is loaded into an ambulance Monday in Tampa. He's resumed church duties. mm iii' Allen said "Here I am, an overweight 57-year-old man, and he has to come over and beat me up. That's a real proud thing to do." Bruce pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge and adjudication was withheld.

But that didn't stop his continued harassment, Allen said. Allen said Bruce and others from the gym dared him to find tow-away zone signs that had disappeared. He said Bruce would yell "fat man" at him and say, "I'll just beat you up again and I'll pay another fine. I've got lots of money." The tow truck driver tolerated it for about a month, then stopped working that lot Leanne Mortello, a manager with Calta's Fitness who witnessed the incident, said the Marine acted in self-defense. In the police report, Bruce says the tow truck driver grabbed him by the shoulder to keep him from getting in the car.

Mortello called the tow truck driver's demeanor The tow truck driver has a 1991 arrest for aggravated battery. Adjudication was with-. held in that case, state records show. He has several nonviolent arrests, but none in the past two decades. Mortello said she saw Bruce regularly because he subleased a space in the gym to run Y-Age Clinic.

On the clinic's Web page, Bruce touts the benefits of increasing one's testosterone and human growth hormone. "These guys get what they call 'raid rage," Allen said. "He looked like he had taken one pill too many that day' Wednesday, Allen learned of Brace's run-in with the Greek Orthodox priest DOG FLU continued HERNANDO DENT, Sharleen K. passed away Nov. 10, 2009.

She is survived by daughters, Jalena and Pam. Brewer 5 Sons Funeral Home 352-796-4991 GRITMON, Fred D. Jr. 81, of Spring Hill, formerly of Brookridge, died Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.

He was a retired school administrator for the Clarktown Central School Sys-. tern in New City for 30 years. Fred was a member of many organizations including Elks Lodge 2582, a Navy veteran of the U.S. Submarine Service in WWII, Weeki Wachee Chapter Submarine Veterans, life member of DAV, Brooksville, NY State United Teachers Association and member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Survivors include his companion, Adella; 2 sons, John (Virginia) Gritmon, James (Arlene) Gritmon, all of Schenectady, NY; 3 daughters, Mary Anne Gritmon, Palmyra, VA, Kathleen (Donald) Bernhardt, Westwood, NJ, Karen Gritmon, Pearl River, NY and 6 grandchildren. A memorial mass will be conducted Friday, Nov. 13, 9:30 am at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, followed by inurnment at Florida National Cemetery. Pinecrest Funeral Chapel Cortez Blvd.

Brooksville, 352-796-1656 Mew Guest Book at www. tampabay.comobits KRANZ, Dr. Patricia L. 77, of Spring Hill, passed away on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009.

Patricia is survived by her son, Larry; 3 stepchildren; sister, Gwen; 3 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. ROBSHAW, George 78, of Brooksville, died Nov. 10. Survived by daughter, Marylou Kivler (Jeff); 3 grands. Inurnment, Military Honors, Florida National Cemetery.

Michels Lundquist FH HILLSBOROUGH ALLGAIER, Dorothy 78, of lutz, died Nov. 10, 2009. Friends received today, Nov. 12th, 6-8 pm at Blount. 8t Curry Carrollwood Chapel, 3207 W.

Bearss, Tampa; Mass Nov. 13th, 9 am, St. Tim. CC. AUSTIN, Mary E.

JONES, Bertha Winona Nigels Born Feb. 24, 1924 In St, Petersburg, died Nov. 6, 2009 in Dunedin. She was the daughter of Bertha Lillian Dixon Nigels Eugene Arthur Nigels. She married Charles Albert Jones Nov.

26, 1944, and together they raised three children, Charles Eugene Jones (Judy Meyers Jones), Sharon Jones Allworth (Clark), Carole Jones Pandorf (Wayne). Grandchildren include Kimber-ly Allworth Sackerman, Erika Kathy Jones, Stephanie Elise Pandorf, Natalie Rose Pandorf, Tanya Sharon Pandorf, Rebecca Jean Pandorf (engaged to PauI.Even), Kyle Charles Allworth; and greatgrandchildren Peter Allworth Sackerman, and Jordan McCall Sackerman. A Celebration of Life service is Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, on the grounds of The North Pinellas Historical Museum, corner of Belcher Rd. and Curlew at 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Palm Harbor Historical Society, 2043 Curlew Palm Harbor, FL 34683 to honor Winona Jones. 727-724-3054 View Guest Book at www.tampabay.comobtts PAPA, Dawn Renae 40, of Largo, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at her home. Dawn was born in Atlanta, GA. She is survived by her loving husband of 7 years, Jerry A.

Papa of Largo; her mother Deborah Davis of Seminole; a sister Dana (Billy) Passons of Chattanooga, TN; maternal grandparents, Dr. Durward (June) Davis of Seminole; two uncles, Mike Davis Ron Davis; her best companion Wiley Bauer. Private family services will take place. Please visit mcssfeaster.com. Moss Feaster Largo 727-562-2080 Mew Guest Book at www.

tampabay. comobits PERRY, Joseph "JD" 31, of Largo, died Nov. 9, 2009. JD is survived by his loving family. Moss-Feaster Funeral Home Largo 562-2080 RHONE, Gerald L.

of Tarpon Springs, died Nov. 4, 2009. Visitation Friday 6-7 pm; service Saturday 2:30 pm, both held at Mt. Hermon' MBC of Tarpon-Springs. Carnegie F.H, 800-493-1855 RUTTER, William M.

87, of Dunedirt, died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. Beloved father to Susan Chico, Williamstown, NJ and Bruce Rutter of Warminster, PA; father-in-law to Barbara and grandfather to Scott and Jonathan. Mr. Rutter worked for Baycare in Oldsmar and was a volunteer at Morton Plant Meese for many years.

Graveside service and burial was held in Arlington ViJi lit Lb. NORTH PINELLAS FINCH, Edward Wray Jr. Age 77, son of Edward Wray Finch and Margaret Garvin Hadden, born in Greensboro, NCJan. 16, 1932 died Oct. 29, 2009 at Highland Pines Nursing Facility, Largo.

He is survived by his son Edward Wray Finch III, wife Elizabeth, their children Eowyn, Caitlin, Rhiannon, and E. Wesley Finch IV; his daughter Lauralee Brunvand, her children Kelsey, Cara, and Hanne Brunvand; foster daughter Judy Johnston, husband David, and children Sarah and Jennifer Johnston; his brother James Garvin Finch of HendersonviHe, NC; and half-brother Walter Lee Finch of Silver Spring, MD. Memorial Service Friday, Nov. 13th, 6pm at Global Family Fellowship, 2289 N. Hercules Ave, Clearwater, 727-733-4600.

View Guest Book at www.tampabay.cornoblts FORD, Lena S. of Tarpon Springs died Nov. 3, 2009. Visitation Friday 6-7 pm; service Saturday 10 am, both at Mt. Hermon MBC of Tarpon Springs.

Carnegie Funeral Home 800-493-1855 GRADY, Elizabeth L. 1 73, died on Nov. 8, 2009, in Largo, t' "Betty" was born in Boston, MA on .1 Amory Leland and Katherine (Murray) Leland. She graduated from Trinity College, Washington, D.C. and she received a Masters Degree in Education from Fordham College, New York.

Betty taught school, was a legal secretary and an alcoholism counselor. Before moving to Florida, she lived in Falmouth, MA and Thornton, NH. She was a longtime friend of Bill W. She enjoyed sailing and golf and was an avid sports enthusiast. She had a special gift of caring for and listening to her friends, as as a good sense of humor.

She will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She was predeceased by her three husbands, Joseph P. Dunn William B. Sullivan and Robert Grady. Betty is survived by her sisters, Emily Moran of Keene, NH and Katherine Leland of Thornton, NH.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Nov. 20th, at 11 am at St. Justin Martyr Roman Catholic Church, 10851 Ridge Road, in Seminole. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2246, St.

Petersburg, FL 33731-2246, the RCS Food Bank, 503 South Martin Luther King Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756 or the charity of your cnoice win oe greatly appreci-' ated. Funeral arrangements by National Cremation Society, Clearwater, Vfetv Guest Book at www.tampabay.comobits HART, Marcella Mary 86, of Belleair, passed away on Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009 at Largo Medical Center, Bom Feb. 7, 1923 in Hartford, CT. Moved to this area in 1990 from Pico Rivera, CA. Marcella attended St Patrick Catholic Church.

She is survived by a dauahter: Marvlane Hohn Stryhal of Hampstead, NC; 5 grandchildren; 11 greatgrandchildren; along with a niece and a nephew. Mareclla was jjJtLtutu in ucqui uy uci husband, Harold Hart in 1990 along with 10 siblings. Memorial Services will be Saturday at 10 am at St Patrick Catholic Church, Please visit www.mossfeaster.com. Moss Fsaster, Largo, FL 727-562-2080 Mew Guest Bookat www.tampabay.comobits contact your Funeral Director or the St. Petersburg Times at 800-333-7505, ext.

8518. Dogs take no chance on flu, though it hasn't hit here yet Police say 28-year-old Bruce was bent over the trunk of his car Monday, pulling out clothes, when the priest who speaks little English tapped him on his shoulder to ask for directions. He was lost Bruce, police say, whacked him over the head with a tire iron, chased him for three blocks and pinned him, all while telling a 911 operator that the bearded, robed man was an Arab terrorist, that he had tried to rob him and that he had grabbed his genitals and propositioned him for sex. Police have charged Bruce with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. They are trying to determine whether to charge him with a hate crime.

Brace's lawyer Jeff Brown held a news conference Tuesday, saying the Marine reservist was acting in self-defense that the priest did, in fact sexually attack him. The priest denies that accusation. By Tuesday night, the story had reached Greece. Its nationwide television networks took from IB Hospital unless their pets are inoculated in advance against the flu. Requiring standard shots is common practice for boarded animals, because diseases spread quickly in kennels.

Owners can even spread the virus between dogs on their clothes and hands. Northeast Animal Hospital in St Petersburg is taking a more wait-and-see approach, said veterinarian Mark Scribano. While boarders must be vaccinated for common ailments like distemper and kennel cough, Scribano recommends the flu vaccine only if a dog gets lots of denied endorsing the stimulus package. In perhaps another hint at Isaac's exit Crist lately has been acting as his own press secretary, instructing reporters to call his cell phone directly rather than, use a "go-between" in the press office. Strum said Isaac told him Tuesday afternoon of her "intent to resign." Strum said she will likely submit a formal resignation in the coming days.

Isaac, 31, left her job as spokeswoman for the Duval County supervisor of elections to work on Crist's 2006 gubernatorial campaign. She was promoted to communications the education angle, asking how the American Marine could possibly confuse a Greek Orthodox priest with an Arab terrorist And on Wednesday, church spokesman Jerry Theophilo-poulos offered stronger words for Brace. He called the attack rage" and said the Marine should go to prison. He said clerics are easy prey for sex allegations and that the defendant is taking advantage of that. He said the church is cooperating with the police and will meet with the State Attorney's Office.

As for the priest, 29-year-old Father Alexios Marakis told the spokesman he has forgiven the assailant, but that the accusations weigh heavily on his mind. Marakis spent the day tending to church duties. Television cameras filmed as he swung an incense censer at a funeral, the stitches still visible on his head. Times researcher John Martin contributed to this report Alexandra Zayas can be reached at azayas sptimes.com or (813) exposure to other dogs. St.

Petersburg resident Norine Noonan, active in dog breeding and training circles, had her standard poodles Abigail and Rhett immunized for $20 each on Wednesday. Abigail, 8, and Rhett, 5, are performance dogs who attend agility and obedience classes two times a week. "There are lots of other dogs there, and who knows where they have been?" Noonan said. "My dogs are very healthy and not in the high-risk class from an age perspective. But they are at high risk in terms of exposure to other dogs." director after Vivian Myrtetus left the post in 2007.

"She's been there for three years, so she's been a big part of the team," Strum said of Isaac. "She just came to me and said Hey, it's Eric Eikenberg, Crist's former chief of staff, left less than two weeks ago for a job on the campaign, a move that came sooner than expected. Both supporters and critics pointed to Crist's falling approval ratings and Senate opponent Marco Rubio's rise in the polls as a reason for the move. Shannon Colavecchio can be reachedatscolavecchiosptimes. comor(850)2247263.

'I the CDC estimates. Puppies and older dogs are more at risk. "To my knowledge, we don't have any confirmed cases in Tampa or St. Pete," said Robert H. Jones, Riley's veterinarian.

"But knowing how mobile my clients are, flying back and forth to the northeast, where it is endemic, and driving back and forth to South Florida, where it is endemic, it's only a matter of time." When the first vaccine became available a month or so ago, Jones notified his customers that they can no longer board their dogs at his Carrollwood Community Animal CRIST continued from IB 93, of Tampa, died Nov. 8, 2009. Services 1 pm, visitation 12-1 pm both Nov. 14, at the chapel of JGR Funeral Home. BERGER, Charlotte S.

Age 83, died Nov. 10. Funeral 2pm Friday, Congregation Schaarai Zedek, 3303 W. Swann Ave. Friends Colonnade, 3401 Bayshore Blvd.

Segal F.H. GONZALEZ, CarmeloD. 81, of Tampa entered into rest on Monday, Nov, 9, 2009, He is survived by his family. Gonzalez Funeral Home HORNSBY, Robert Ira Sr. 67, of Tampa, passed away Nov.

4 2009 at home. He is survived by his loving wife, family and friends. Affinity Cremation LaGASSE, Jerry 58, of Tampa, died Nov 9. A memorial service will take place 3pm Friday, at the chapel of MacDonald Funeral Home. The family will visit with friends one hour prior McGILL, Alice 91, of Tampa, passed away Nov.

11, 2009. Funeral at N.W.Tampa Church of Christ on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 am. Visitation one hour prior. Blount Curry 813-814-4444 PULEO, Jennie 95, of Tampa passed away Nov.

9, 2009 at Carrollwood Care Center. She is survived by her loving family and friends. Affinity Cremation Grist's communications chief resigns President Barack Obama and the money during a nationally televised town hall in Fort Myers in February. Crist also told reporters he didn't know Obama's itinerary for a recent visit to Florida, but e-mails obtained by the St. Petersburg Times show Gist's top aides in Washington and Tallahassee were notified.

The discrepancies have generated critical stories and television interviews for the governor, whose history of sky-high approval ratings once generated him the moniker "Teflon Charlie." Even Wolf Blitzer, who attended Crist's wedding last year, skewered him in a recent CNN interview in which Crist Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA. Mew Guest Book at www.tampabay.comobits SIELI, Lorraine Diane 76, of Largo, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 at Morton Plant Hospital in Cleans ter. Eternal Rest Funeral Home 727-733-2300 SMITH, Elizabeth Ellen 50, died Nov. 6, 2009.

Bom in Providence, RI, she was a long time Clearwater resident, a life member of The Ladies Aux. of American Legion Post 238 in Safety Harbor and The Ladies Aux. of VFW Post 2473 in Clearwater. Preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Constance Kennedy, and husband, Glenn Smith, she is survived by two sisters, Lynn and Nancy, Rhode Island; fiance, Thomas White; and many friends. Memorial services will be held at the VFW Post 2473, 1401 Hercules, Clearwater, on Saturday, Dec.

5 at 1pm. Mew Guest So at www.tampabay.comobits SPOONSTER, Janet "Jan" 62, of Tarpon Springs, died Nov. 9. Survived by son, Scott; and brother, Greg (Elaine) Stevens. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon 942-0515 dobiesfuneralhome.com WALICKI, Emily H.

of Dunedin, on Nov. 8, 2009 she was reunited with husband, Sidney. Survived by daughter, Diane (f rinidad); grandchildren, Angie Sidney; 5 great-grandchildren. Alt i.