Obituary of Colin Gaynair

Colin Arthur Brian Gaynair, loving husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on Monday, February 24, 2020, at the age of 85 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

He is survived by the love of his life Paula, his wife of 63 years; son Bruce and daughter-in-law Bonnie of Lakeland, Fla.; son Robert and daughter-in-law Leigha of Salem, Ore.; daughter Gillian and son-in-law Tam of Washington, DC; brother David and sister-in-law Margaret of Kingston, Jamaica; grandsons Eric, Andrew, and Josh; great-grandchildren Jackson, Kate, Lucas and William; and numerous nieces and nephews. Colin was preceded in death by his siblings Joy, Patrick, and Erica.

Colin was born on December 11, 1934 in Kingston, Jamaica to Eric and Adeline Gaynair. He graduated from Jamaica College where he followed in his father’s footsteps as a standout track athlete. Upon graduation, he worked as a senior service representative and technician in the international division of National Cash Register (now NCR Corporation) and later as a Chartered Life Underwriter at Life of Jamaica Ltd., the country’s first locally owned life insurance company. After immigrating to St. Petersburg in 1978, Colin managed Hampstead Ltd., an import-export company, served as a human resources manager at Tampa Housing Authority, and for 25 years co-owned with Paula The Beauty Collection (later Salon DePass). He was an active member of Central Christian Church and volunteered with Mended Hearts Chapter 43 at Bayfront Health.

Colin was a gentle, loving, kind, and deeply spiritual man whose character touched people’s lives in meaningful and memorable ways. He was loved and respected by many and will be forever missed.

A celebration of Colin's life will take place on Saturday, October 3rd at 11am at Central Christian Church, 6161 22nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710.

Should friends and family desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association of Tampa Bay and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.