TAMPA BAY, Fla. — Hundreds gathered for a public memorial Saturday to honor the life of David Straz, Jr.

• Family, friends pay respect to philanthropist
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It was held at the Riverwalk Tent outside of the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

Family and friends paid their respects to the philanthropist. 

Pam Iorio and Dick Greco, former mayors for the City of Tampa, attended the memorial and spoke about the contributions Straz made to the community. 

"David did one good thing after another from the day he was born," said Greco.

"Life is fleeting but his impact is not fleeting. His impact will last forever in this community," said Iorio.

Straz died in his sleep during a recent fishing trip at the age of 77. The longtime businessman literally made a name for himself as he donated and financed a local performing arts center, which was later named the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.