Edward ‘Ed’ A. Bailey
Edward “Ed” A. Bailey, 78, of Holmes Beach, died Jan. 21. He was born Sept. 17, 1946, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Howard H. and Mildred Williams Bailey.
He graduated in 1969 from Northeastern University with a degree in mechanical engineering and achieved a long and productive career in the paper industry at Scott Paper/Kimberly-Clark/Procter & Gamble, followed by several years of consulting.
In 1976, he married Linda Kendro Bailey, and they settled in Upper Providence, Pennsylvania, followed by retirement and relocation to Holmes Beach. They celebrated 48 years of marriage in October 2024.
He was a loyal fan of the Philadelphia Eagles with a passion for sailing, classic cars and relaxation on the beach. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach.
Mr. Bailey is survived by wife Linda, daughter Alexis and husband Dave Cohen of Philadelphia, sister Linda and husband Dr. Michael Neri of Laguna Beach, California, as well as numerous cherished nieces and nephews.
A small celebration of life is planned for this spring in the Philadelphia area. Those who wish to remember Ed may make gifts in his memory to World Central Kitchen WCK.org or to a gofundme account to help rebuild the Rod & Reel Pier on Anna Maria Island.
Brown and Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory in Bradenton is in charge of arrangements.
Bob Davis
Perico resident Elder speaks at Bob Davis celebration of life
Perico Island resident Jim Elder was a longtime friend of renowned tennis figure Robert “Bob” C. Davis and keynote speaker at the celebration of life for Davis Jan. 24 at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton.
Davis, 80, who died earlier this month, was a longtime Bradenton resident and a major figure in the tennis world.
The New York City-born Davis competed at the U.S. National Championships, now the U.S. Open. He served as a hitting partner for Grand Slam champion Althea Gibson, partnered with Arthur Ashe’s Safe Passage Foundation, owned and operated a tennis club in Poughkeepsie, New York, in the 1970s, co-authored Nick Bollettieri’s book “Changing The Game” and won national titles as a senior player.
“When asked what motivated him to devote so much of his life to promoting tennis in urban areas, Davis said, ‘Every success I’ve had in my life has been due to tennis. I’m just trying to do something to give back,’” Elder told the crowd at the event.
Elder added, “Nick Bollettieri saluted Bob when he was inducted into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014, when Nick said, ‘With Bob Davis, it’s all about helping the needy. That is what Bob Davis is all about. How can I help people?’”
“He was a total gentleman on the court but at the same time a fierce competitor, who wanted to win as much as any of us.”
Davis was a popular fixture at the Walton Tennis Center at G.T. Bray Park until recent months, when he became ill. He was inducted into five halls of fame.
He is survived by two daughters, Tanya and Robin.
Plans are underway to rename Court 1 at Walton Tennis Center as Bob Davis Court.
— Mark “Scoop” Malinowski
Editor’s note: Malinowski is author of a series of “Biofile” interviews that can be found online at mrbiofile.com.