Former Clearwater City Manager Mike Roberto
CLEARWATER - Former city manager, Mike Roberto, 50, succumbed to cancer Saturday, August 5, at Hospice House Woodside in Pinellas Park.
A family man, Roberto is survived by wife Debbie; daughter Christina; parents Fausta and Bartolomeo Roberto; sister Marie Antoinette Mack.
Roberto is fondly remembered in Clearwater for his ambition and the energy he brought to city revitalization projects. His vision of One City, One Future hailed the beginning of Clearwater's current downtown redevelopment and street beautification.
Clearwater's current city manager Bill Horne says of Roberto, "Mike Roberto was a visionary and a whirlwind at the same time. He created a community and staff focus for redeveloping Clearwater during his tenure that remains with us today. He was very dedicated to his wife and family and treasured his daughter beyond anything else. His tenure in Clearwater made a positive difference in the community."
In 2001 Roberto joined Wade Trim at their Tampa office. He was Wade Trim's vice president in charge of nationwide municipal services. Dave Gildersleeve, vice president of Wade Trim said, "Mike was a true visionary and probably one of the most effective municipal leaders that I have ever met --- he thoroughly understood government. His handprints are all over the cities of Clearwater and North Miami Beach."
Gildersleeve stressed Roberto's selflessness. "Everything was not about Mike. It was about him serving others and his community. He'll be sorely missed across the country by friends and colleagues. He was an amazing guy."
Donations in honor of Roberto can be made to Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, or Morton Plant Mease Foundation CAPPS at 1200 Druid Road, Clearwater, FL 33756.