Gil Waters celebrates 90th

Were it not for his efforts in the late 1990s, today’s fixed-span Ringling Bridge would not be approaching its 15 th anniversary.

Were it not for his entrepreneurism, Sarasota-based FCCI Insurance Group may never have formed and grown to be in 18 states.

Were it not for his and his fellow city commissioners’ efforts in the early 1960s, there may not have been a Bayfront Park and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

And were it not for his efforts, the Argus Foundation, a Sarasota business group that fought a construction moratorium in 1983, may never have started.

Longtime Sarasota entrepreneur, former city commissioner and philanthropist Gil Waters celebrated his 90th birthday Monday in his Golden Gate condominium that looks out at the Ringling Bridge.

In addition to being the founder and spearhead of the above efforts, Waters and his wife, Elisabeth, have been Sarasota philanthropists, contributing especially to the city’s many arts organizations. Waters’ business and community activities over the past four decades have been so widespread that when Elisabeth decided to celebrate his 90 th , she wanted to have a small gathering of friends.

Nearly 100 of Waters’ fans visited to toast him.

On Tuesday, Elisabeth said: “He still had a big smile all day Tuesday. It was a very good day for him.”