Eight Bells: Paul Bardes

Paul Phillip Bardes passed away on April 9 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Paul was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1939 and raised in Short Hills, NJ. Paul graduated from Miami University in Ohio where he met his love Carole. Paul moved his young family to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1976.

He was an avid sailor and powerboat owner and along with his wife Carole were both very active members of the St. Petersburg YC. Over the years both Paul and his Carole became tireless volunteers within the yacht club’s Race Committee Team running and hosting 100s of regattas including being selected to participate as Race Committee officials in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Paul passed his love for the wind and sea to his two sons as well as his four grandchildren. When not hosting regattas, Paul could be found cruising the waterways of West Florida in one of the many boats over time from sail to power for weeks on end.

By far Paul’s greatest love was being his wife’s “Mark 1”. Hearing them communicate on the water during events, one could not only understand the bond but also the comical results of Carole giving orders to her beloved husband.

Paul loved to laugh and laugh often. He won the respect of intelligent people. He found the best in others and made sure those around him breathed life easier because he lived. There will be a memorial for Paul on April 27 2019 at the Anderson McQueen Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, FL beginning at 10:00am – 12:00pm.