Gus Stavros, prominent philanthropist and World War II veteran, dies at 97

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay and other arts and educational organizations in the region are mourning the death, but also celebrating the life, of Gus Stavros, a prominent philanthropist who died Oct. 18 at 97.

Born in 1925 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Stavros served in World War II under General George Patton, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, before embarking on a career in business. He moved to Pinellas County in 1958 and two years later founded a company called Better Business Forms. Stavros and his business partners owned and operated the firm until 1984, when it was acquired by Progress Energy. He was also a former minority owner of the Tampa Bay Rays.