Obituary

David Merlin Heath, 53, of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday, January 17, 2007. He was a native of St. Petersburg. He grew up working in his family's restaurants, The Red Cavalier and The Careless Navigator. He was the spring training batboy for the 1969 "Miracle Mets" which concreted his life long love of baseball. He was a 1971 graduate of Boca Ciega High School. After high school he attended Florida State University. Throughout his life he exhibited an abundance of unique and admirable qualities which he shared with and which were appreciated by his numerous friends and extended family. He had a passion for the ocean, music, movies, and traveling. His Christian faith and his three children were the cornerstones of his life.

He is survived by his eldest son David J. Heath and middle child, daughter Jaime Heath both of Los Angeles, CA; his youngest son Jason Heath, St. Petersburg; his mother, June Bartke, Leesburg, FL; his father, Glen Heath, Cuyahoga Falls, OH; his two brothers Nicholas Castrinos, Chester, VA and George Castrinos, Los Angeles; his four sisters, Amelia Castrinos Knisk, Davie, FL; Maria Castrinos Hutchison, Orlando, FL; Barbara Castrinos Jones, Leesburg, FL; and, Amy Heath Weeks, Sarasota, FL.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 23 at Church By the Sea on Medeira Beach. Interment is at Royal Palm Cemetery.