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Harvey Waite Dies After Cancer Fight

Photo from Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's office

An Army veteran, Harvey Waite was a New York state trooper and worked for the Hernando County public defender's office.

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: August 19, 2008

Updated: 08/19/2008 10:41 am

BROOKSVILLE - Harvey Waite, husband of U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, died Tuesday in Brooksville after a fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 68.

Mr. Waite died in the couple's Spring Lake home "surrounded by his loved ones," according to a statement from Brown-Waite's office.

The couple had been married 30 years.

Mr. Waite was a lifelong Catholic, and his funeral service will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Brooksville, Tuesday's release said.

"He was just an all around good guy, down-to-earth and easy to get to know," said Brooksville resident Tom Hogan Sr., a founder of the county Republican Party and current state committeeman who met Mr. Waite in 1995. "We're going to miss him, I'll tell you that."

Born in Bayshore on Long Island, N.Y., Mr. Waite served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961, spending part of his tour in Japan. Upon his return, he took a job as a New York State Trooper and spent most of his working years there. The couple settled in Hernando County in 1995, and Mr. Waite worked part time as an investigator for the public defender's office.

An active member of several local organizations, he was especially proud of his service to St. Anthony's, where he volunteered as an usher; his membership in the Nature Coast British Car Club; and the 10-13 Club of Hernando County, according to Tuesday's release.

He could often be seen riding around Brooksville in the couple's red 1959 MGA convertible, a showpiece during car club meetings.

"Always described as the handsomest man on the block wherever he lived, Harvey was a friend to everyone he met and always had a kind word and a quick smile," the release said. "Known for being handy with his tools, when Harvey reaches the gates of Heaven, St. Peter will probably say, 'Welcome Harve ... it is good to finally have someone who can fix the Gates."

Brown-Waite has in the past described her husband as one of her most ardent supporters during her political career that began on the Hernando County Commission.

When Mr. Waite was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, he urged his wife to stay in the race to keep the Congressional seat she has held since 2002.

"Both of us look forward to the upcoming campaign for the 5th District House seat this fall," Brown-Waite said upon announcing her husband's diagnosis in February.

The couple put their Spring Lake home on the market about six months ago. When it sells, Brown-Waite will likely stay in Hernando County "where her support network and family is," her spokesman told Hernando Today earlier last week.

Mr. Waite is survived by the couple's three children, Danene Mitchell and her husband Joe; Lorie Busiere and her husband Randy; and Jeannine O'Neill; a sister, Barbara Webber of North Carolina; a brother, Wayne Waite of New York; and four grandchildren.

Flowers may be sent to Turner Funeral Home, 14360 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, Fla. 34609. For those who would prefer to make a donation, the family has requested gifts be sent to Hernando-Pasco Hospice.

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Funeral arrangements for Harvey Waite

Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 20428 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville.

The service will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the church. A gathering in the adjacent Heffernan Hall will follow.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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