A well-known Bay area man who helped shape the city of Tampa's landscape has died.
Former Circuit Court Judge John Germany passed away from cancer Wednesday. He was a Plant City native and founding partner of Holland and Knight Law Firm.
Throughout his life, Germany was a big supporter of literacy.
He spearheaded the move to build the John F. Germany public library in downtown Tampa. Just before he died, he made a $100,000 donation for the future John Germany Youth Reading initiative.
"That will be a program that will endure for decades that will put books in the hands of children in our community," said Director of Tampa-Hillsborough Library Services Andrew Briedenbauh. "That will ensure a reading public."
Germany also had an influential role in creating the University of South Florida. He is credited with convincing the Florida Governor to sign legislation and found the school in 1956.
"He was an amazing person for USF, an amazing person altogether," said USF President Judy Genshaft.
Germany was 92 years old.