Bernard F. Powell is remembered for his philanthropic generosity.
BELLEAIR SHORE – Bernard F. Powell, an icon in the resort hotel business with the Belleview Biltmore and the quintessential philanthropist of Morton Plant Mease, died at his home in Belleair Shore on Aug. 21, 2008. He was 96.
Powell graduated from the University of Detroit Law School at age 22 and joined the renowned Alex J. Groesbeck law firm. He was the youngest attorney ever to argue a case in the U.S. Supreme Court.
He attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School lettering in ice hockey and golf, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Detroit.
In 1946, Powell joined prominent Realtor Roger Stevens in purchasing the Belleview Biltmore Hotel, dubbed “The biggest white elephant on the West Coast of Florida.”
Dilapidated from occupation by U.S. military forces during the war, it was renovated to a world renowned 4 Star Mobile Award resort. The addition of the Donald Ross golf courses and the gulfside Cabana Club complemented the magnificent hotel. For decades, the resort was a favorite of international figures such as the Duke of Windsor, American presidents and distinguished captains of industry and their families. Powell also was a partner in the prestigious Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach.
Bernie and Mary Ann Powell are the largest benefactors in the history of Morton Plant Mease Foundation, they are affectionately called the Patriarch and Matriarch of Morton Plant Hospital. In 1991, in memory of his daughter Christie’s battle with breast cancer, he gave $1 million for the Powell Cancer Center on the Morton Plant campus and its Cancer Patient Support Services programming. In 1996, he made a multimillion-dollar commitment to the Cheek-Powell Heart and Vascular Center of that same campus. In 2004, in response to a growing need for child care for nurses on the hospital campus, Bernie made a gift to establish the Mary Ann and Bernard F. Powell Child Care Center and Learning Center at Morton Plant.
Morton Plant Mease CEO Philip Beauchamp remembered Bernie by saying, “His foresight with the Cheek-Powell Pavilion in bringing advances in cardiac care well ahead of our industry, his compassion with the Powell Cancer Center bringing an expert team with a caring touch, and his spirit in the creation of the Powell Child Care Center for our team members’ children were all part of his grand vision for Morton Plant.”
Powell was a member of St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church, Carlouel Yacht Club and Belleair Country Club. He was an Emeritus member of the Board of Directors of the Morton Plant Mease Foundation.
In 1993, Bernie and Mary Ann received the Morton Plant Mease Foundation’s Golden Flame Award in recognition of their philanthropic support. They also received the Philanthropy Award from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School. Powell was honored by the Clearwater Regional Chamber as its first Lifetime Achievement Mr. Clearwater Award. As his dear friend and fellow benefactor Carroll Cheek said, “His contributions have come in the form of time and personal involvement as well as financial to a degree that has been more than commendable – it has been sacrificial.”
In addition to Morton Plant Mease, in the Greater Clearwater community, Mr. Powell’s philanthropy touched the Salvation Army and its Mallory-Powell Social Services Center, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Abilities, UPARC, Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, Eckerd Family Youth Alternatives, Neighborly Care Network, Covenant House Florida, Hospice of the Florida Suncoast and the Kimberly Home in addition to both St. Brendan and St. Cecelia Catholic parishes. Outside of the Tampa Bay area, his charitable giving impacted the Caring House at Duke Cancer Center, Northern Michigan Hospital Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Boysville of Michigan and the Hospice of Little Traverse. His investment in educational institutions included the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, University of Detroit Mercy College and Randolph–Macon Women’s College.
Powell was preceded in death by his parents, Robert M. Powell and Anna Mae Dillon Powell; his sisters Katherine Powell Morse and Nora Mae Peabody; his brother, Robert Powell; and his daughter, Christy Powell Higgins. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Mary Ann Forster Powell, daughters Kathy Powell Strong of Belleair and Susan Powell Travis of California; son, Bernard Christopher Powell of Maui, Hawaii; grandchildren Jordan and Gabriel Higgins, Matthew Archangeli, Jeffrey Archangeli and Elizabeth Archangeli Post, and Laura Gemignani and great-grandchildren, Nicolai, Leo, Oliver, Madeline, Gabriel and Alexander.
Visitation will be at Sylvan-Abbey on Thursday, Sept. 4, 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church on Friday, Sept. 5, 10:30 a.m.
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