Obituary of Harry James Startin

86 passed away July 8, 2012 at Shore Acres Nursing Home in St. Petersburg, FL after a long illness. "Jimmy" was born in Surabaya, Java, Indonesia July 21, 1925, son of Hal and Helen Startin. He was the eldest of three children, Alice (Stovall) and Alan Startin of Vancouver, Canada. The family moved to England where Jimmy spent much time with his Grandfather Admiral Sir James Startin,K.C.B.,A.M and his Uncle, Captain Robert A Startin,A.M; Aunt Margaret and their children, Anne, Ruth and Jim. Jimmy joined the Royal Navy and graduated from Dartmouth College where he was presented with The King's Dirk by King George VI as Chief Cadet Captain. After serving in WWII he continued to have a very successful career in the Royal Navy reaching rank of Commander. He spent three years at the Key West Naval station, on loan from the Royal Navy as an instructor from 1954 to 1957.This tour of duty introduced him to America and he knew he would return. After retiring in 1968 he moved to Nassau, Bahamas and ran a successful yacht marina business. In 1973 he moved to the Miami area and later on St Petersburg continuing in yacht sales, owning Cruising World on Gandy Blvd. He and wife Gwen moved to Venetian Isles in 1974. Gwen passed away last year, July 2011. Jimmy is survived by daughter, Dianne Crane and husband Nick, son, Roger Startin and wife Vera; 3 grandchildren, Samantha Wills and husband Barry; John Crane and wife Sara, Emma Startin; and 2 great grandchildren, Katie and Lucy Wills. Services will be private. Jimmy was given generous care and comfort by the staff members of St Anthony's Hospital, Kindred Hospital and Shore Acres Rehab and Nursing Centre, St Petersburg, FL. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these facilities; http://www.stanthonysfoundation.org/default.asp?ContentID=1 or http://www.kindredstpete.com/ or http://shoreacresrehab.com/ or to a charity of your choice.