TIMES SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2006 NEWS Photos special to the Times Rick Cabot, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lutz, upper left, with a film crew in a Hollywood swimming pool shooting an Animal Planet re-enactment of his gator attack. Escape from jaws of death inspires pastor a The Lutz man uses a 2004 gator attack as a pulpit to re-enact the terrifying event for television. By ELIZABETH MILLER Times Correspondent LUTZ The cool water felt refreshing after a long bike ride and jog on a hot day in May. Rick Cabot happily dived off his dock and into the lake. He didn't get far in his swim before a gripping pain seized his left calf.
Two years later, Cabot remembers remaining calm. His initial thought was that it couldn't possibly be an alligator. But when he bent to look at his leg, through his goggles he saw a gator staring right back at him. "I remember thinking: I can't believe a gator's got my leg," Cabot said. Cabot relives that moment for an Animal Planet special called After the Attack airing this Sunday night.
Two one-hour specials will be shown at 8 and 9 p.m. featuring attacks by a grizzly bear, a lion, a great white shark and Cabot's gator. No stranger to acting, Cabot, the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lutz, portrayed the role of Jesus Christ for several years at a downtown re-enactment of Jesus' crucifixion. In the special, Cabot re-enacts his own experience with the gator. For the making of the show, Cabot wrestled a diver's underwater camera while fake blood and air bubbles were pumped in for effect.
"I'm not really an actor. I'd say I'm more of a stunt man," Cabot said. Cabot doesn't mind using his gator incident as a pulpit for the many lessons he took away that day. "Rick is a strong guy, partly because ofhis faith, but also because he's physically strong," said Andrea Anderson, the show's producer. "To have survived something like that makes you even stronger." In light of recent deaths in Florida due to gator attacks, Anderson said, "he's fortunate to have made it." "I'm not prone to nightmares," Cabot said, "but I've had a lot of daymares' of my daughter swimming in that same spot just one day before." He hopes his experience will caution people to be aware.
At the time of the attack, Cabot and his daughter Melissa had been training for a triathlon. Many times they had been in the lake behind the church parsonage on Lutz-Lake Fern Road, where Cabot lives. But on that morning Melissa had to skip the swim to get ready for an appointment. Cabot relives that moment the most, imagining how grief-stricken he would have been if she had decided to swim and if the 7-foot alligator had sunk its jaws into her leg instead of his. "I die 1,000 deaths when think of that," said Cabot, who considers himself lucky to be alive.
After the gator bit into his leg, Cabot managed to throw a fist into its jaw under water. The gator released its grip, allowing Cabot to swim back to shore. He remained calm during the attack and even after, when the deep gashes in his leg bled profusely, leaving a trail of bloody footprints to his door. "I just knew I had to get him off me," Cabot said. He believes that staying calm helped him escape.
"I think the gator realized I wasn't a threat," he said. During the nearly five days of filming locally and i in Hollywood, Cabot was able to talk with animal experts about possible reasons the alligator struck. "Maybe he was defending his territory, or maybe he thought I looked like something else," Cabot said. During the filming, Cabot also got the chance to touch an alligator and hold its tail. "It was interesting to feel its strength," he said.
He's not afraid to swim in the lake again. But his wife remains terrified at the prospect of an another attack, so Cabot sticks to pools. Even after getting 38 staples in his arm and leg, Cabot managed to participate in a triathlon that August with his daughter. The experience has brought them closer, he said. "God gives us life, and breath and all things," Cabot said.
"This experience has deepened my appreciation for every breath we Cabot poses for a 2004 photo with the alligator that attacked him as he swam in a lake. OBITUARIES MOLAN, DOROTHY 94, of Brooksville, formerly of SUNCOAST DEATHS St. Petersburg, died June 14. R. Lee Williams Son Funeral Home Crematory, 49th Street Chapel, This list is extracted from detailed obituaries St.
Petersburg. published in other regional editions of the Times. For TEIFERT, JOHN "SUNNY," 82, of Spring Hill, died complete obituaries, please see www.sptimes.com. June 14. Brewer Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Spring Hill.
Citrus COLEMAN, ROBERT "BOB," 74, of hom*osassa, died Hillsborough June 12. Wilder Funeral Home, hom*osassa BOUSHALL, JOHN HECK 73, of Tampa, died Springs. June 15. Blount and Curry Funeral Home, MacDill HOSKINS, LEANN MARIE, 22, of Hernando, formerly Avenue Chapel, Tampa. of Tampa, died June 13.
Chas. E. Davis Funeral LAVIN, KATHERINE ANDROTHIMOU, 60, of Tarpon Home With Crematory, Inverness. Springs, and formerly of Tampa, died June 12. HYNES, ROBERT, 86, of Crystal River, formerly of St.
Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon Avenue Petersburg, died June 10. Serenity Memorial Chapel, Tarpon Springs. Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Crystal ROOSA, DAVID RUSSELL, 60, of Tampa, died June River. 14.
Blount and Curry Funeral Home, MacDill NATHANSON, SOL, 81, of Henderson, Avenue Chapel, Tampa. formerly of Inverness, died May 17. Heinz Funeral Home Cremation, Inverness. Pasco RANGOS, WANDA 75, of hom*osassa, died June BASEL, EASTER MONDAY, 78, of Port Richey, died 15. Hooper Funeral Homes, hom*osassa.
June 14. Faupel Funeral Home, Port RICHARDSON, WINNIE 91, of Beverly Hills, died CONE, NAOMA 81, of Holiday, died June Richey. 14. June 16. Hooper Funeral Homes, Beverly Hills.
Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, RUBIN, ARTHUR MICHAEL, 53, of Inverness, died Tarpon 14. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home With FOWLER, KENNETH M.
"MICKEY," 60, of New Port Springs. Crematory, DONALD Inverness. died June Richey, formerly of Dunedin, died June 14. Faupel STEINER, 76, of Beverly Hills, Funeral Home, Port Richey. 14.
Brown Funeral Home and Crematory, Crystal GOBER, MARION JOHN 67, of Zephyrhills, died River. June 14. Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills. VIVERITO, VASHTI "VICKI," Funeral 85, Home of With Citrus Springs, GREENHUT, LEONARD 79, of New Port Richey, died June 12. Fero Crematory, formerly of Clearwater, died June 14.
Faupel Beverly Hills. Funeral Home, Port Richey. HAUF, JOSEPH 81, of Zephyrhills, died June 16. Hernando Whitfield Funeral Home, Zephyrhills. LEWIE, DAVID 40, of Brooksville, died June 14.
PALADINO, JEAN, 92, of Port Richey, died June 16. Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville. Grace Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, Gulfport SCHNEE, ELISABETH 103, of Gulfport, died Friday (June 16, 2006) at Edward White Hospital, St. Petersburg. She was born in Germany and came here in 1982 from Detroit.
She was a homemaker and Lutheran. She enjoyed needlepoint, picture painting, piano playing and pets. She also enjoyed swimming every day until she turned 100. Survivors include two sons, Horst Teine, South Pasadena, and Udo Schnee, Kissimmee; and two granddaughters. Gee Sorensen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, St.
Petersburg. SOLT, WILLIAM 48, of Gulfport, died Wednesday (June 14, 2006) at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg. He was born in New York City and came here in 1984 from Maryland. He was a sign painter.
Survivors include two aunts, Janet A. Brazill, Colorado Springs, and Alice Margaret Westerveld, Fallbrook, and his companion, Martha Muzzey. David C. Gross Funeral Homes and Cremation Center, Central Avenue Chapel, St. Petersburg.
Pinellas Park MANDEL, MICHAEL, 46, of Pinellas Park, died Friday (May 26, 2006) at Pinellas Park Care and Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Albany, N.Y., and came here in 1972 from Schenectady, N.Y. He was a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed sports, including the Bucs. Survivors include a daughter, Nicole Mandel, Kenneth City; a brother, William, and a sister, Laurie Bridges, both of St.
Petersburg. Taylor Family Funeral Home, Pinellas Park. SAUER, MARGARET, 78, of Pinel- las Park, died Thursday (June 15, 2006) at Bayfront Medical Center, St. Petersburg. She came here in 1956 from her native Detroit.
She was a homemaker. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Utica, and locally attended Our Savior Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg. Survivors include a son, Nairn Newell, Pinellas Park; a sister, Bonnie Clark, Utica; a grandson, Nairn Newell a great-granddaughter, Briana Newell; and numerous nieces and nephews. Global Gulf Breeze Mortuary, Largo.
St. Petersburg CABRERA, EDITH 88, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (June 15, 2006) at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute. She was born in Schuyler, and came here in 1961 from Richmond, Va. She was a homemaker and member of Clearview United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Survivors include a daughter, Loretta Busefink, St. Petersburg; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two nieces; and a nephew. R. Lee Williams Son Funeral Home Crematory, 49th Street Chapel, St.
Petersburg. GIRLEY, MATTIE LEE, 86, of St. Petersburg, died Thursday (June 15, 2006) at Bay Pointe Nursing Pavilion. She came here in 1948 from her native Madison. She was a homemaker and member of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Fannie Mae Harden, St. Petersburg, and Essie Mae Branch, Madison; a brother, Geather Bennett, Junction City, 11 grandchildren; 16 greatgrandchildren; and three great-greatgrandchildren. Royal Palm Funeral Chapel Cemetery North, St. Petersburg. HARTLEY, JENNIE 47, of St.
Petersburg, died Monday (June 12, 2006) at home in a homicide. She was a native and lifetime resident of St. Petersburg. She was a graduate of Dixie Hollins High School. She was a licensed massage therapist and member of Cathedral of St.
Jude the Apostle and its Magnificat Women's Prayer Group. Survivors include a daughter, Rosanne C. Hartley, her parents, Anne and Roy Hartley, and a sister, Sue Sharlow, all of St. Petersburg; two brothers, Mark Hartley, Brooksville, and Roy Hartley, St. Charles, and four grandchildren.
Brett Funeral Home Cremation Services, St. Petersburg. MOLAN, DOROTHY 94, of Brooksville, formerly of St. Peters burg, died Wednesday (June 14, 2006) at home. She was born in Tampa and came here in 1972 from King of Prussia, and moved to Brooksville nine months ago.
She was a member of American Baptist Church of the Beatitudes and was a former director of music at Palm Shores Retirement Center, both in St. Petersburg. She was also an editor for religious publications. Survivors include a daughter, Elma Anstett, Spring Hill; three granddaughters, Christine Tennent, Campbell, N.Y., Ruth Aumick, Corning, N.Y., and Linda Lapp, Port Richey; seven 1 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. R.
Lee Williams Son Funeral Home Crematory, 49th Street Chapel, St. Peters burg. SCHEFF, MARY BEN, 88, of St. Petersburg, formerly of Floral City, Hudson. PEART, Prevatt SAKOWSKI, formerly 15.
Curlew SCHROEDER, Pasco Cremation Other AUGUSTINE, BURBANK, June 14. CARPENTER, June 12. Holiday. FRONEK, Tarpon Funeral Springs. HALL, JOE, County, Clearwater.
HOWLETT, Clearwater, Society, JOSEPHSEN, 14. Services, KARAVAKIS, June 14. Avenue PYNE, New Port Meadowlawn died Wednesday (June 14, 2006) at Allegro at College Harbor. She was born in High Springs and came here as a child. She was a graduated from St.
Petersburg High School in 1936. She was a University of Tampa graduate and attended the University of Alabama and the University of West Virginia. She lived in Oklahoma and Kansas and moved back to St. Petersburg in 1951. She was active in many community activities including duplicate bridge tournaments, the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club and SPHS Class of 1936 Alumnae Club.
When she lived in Floral City, she taught middle school remedial reading in Inverness. She enjoyed traveling in her Airstream trailer. Survivors include a daughter, Genevieve Witt Marshall, St. Petersburg; a son, William Morris Witt, Gainesville; three granddaughters; three greatgranddaughters; and her companion and caregiver of many years, Tom Haugh, St. Petersburg.
National Cremation Society, Clearwater. THERRIEN, CHRISTINE, 45, of St. Petersburg, died Tuesday (June 13, 2006) at Palm Terrace St. Petersburg. She came here in 1966 from her native Springfield, Mass.
Survivors include two brothers, Mike Therrien, Palm Bay, and Bill Therrien, Kenneth City; and a sister, Marie Turner, Clearwater. ALife Tribute FuneralCare, Largo. HOW TO PLACE AN OBITUARY OR FUNERAL NOTICE Obituaries: Obituaries of residents, former residents elsewhere. Calls are accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
and seasonal visitors are published without charge as a weekdays. public service. They may include such information as the person's age, address, cause of death, occupation, accomplishments and surviving close relatives. This in- In Memoriams, Tributes, Card of Thanks: These formation is obtained from the funeral home. Photo- are prepaid notices that should be mailed to: Funeral graphs to accompany obituaries are welcome.
For in- Desk Front Counter, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL formation, please call 893-8360 before 2 p.m. Monday 33731. For information on including symbols of relithrough Friday and before 10:30 a.m.
on Saturday and gious or fraternal organizations please call 893-8518 in 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Pinellas or 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8518, elsewhere. To make sure that your Memoriam, Tribute or Card of Thanks runs on the appropriate day, please submit Funeral notices and Tributes: Funeral notices and your notice so we receive it at least 10 days before the tributes are paid advertisem*nts that may be pur- date you want it to appear.
A Times representative will chased by the families of the deceased. These prepaid call you to verify that we have received your request, notices may include information of the family's choice, provide pricing information, and arrange for prepayincluding funeral arrangements and requests for contri- ments. butions to charitable funds, which are not normally in- Please make. an appointment with the funeral desk cluded in obituaries. Symbols of religious or fraternal prior to coming to the Times office.
If you wish to fax a organizations may also be included in a funeral notice. notice, call 893-8518 in Pinellas or (800) 333-7505, ext. Please ask your funeral director or the funeral desk rep- 8518, and you will be provided with the proper fax resentative for details. To order a funeral notice, memo- number. The funeral desk is closed on weekends.
rial item, card of thanks, tribute or for other information, For your convenience we accept American Express, call 893-8518 in Pinellas, or 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8518, Visa, Master Card or Discover. don't tell people they should travel: St Petersburg. I just there's lay out much the to see places in they the can world, go and and try many to explain cultures to to them enjoy." that cimes In the Brace Tor ale 1 Rob Jenkins, Travel alitor tampahay'com 13020 ARTHUR 84, of Hudson, died June 14. Funeral Home, Hudson.
STELLA LEE, 86, of New Port Richey, of Dunedin and Safety Harbor, died June Hills Funeral Home, Palm Harbor. JEANETTE 73, of Spring Hill, County, died June 6. Abbey Affordable Funeral Services, Largo. Pinellas LEE, 84, of Dunedin, died Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater. NANETTE ANITA, 53, of ALife Tribute FuneralCare, MARY FAHEY, 92, of American Heritage Cremation Oldsmar, died Largo.
Clearwater, died Society, JOSEPHINE CECELIA "JOSIE," 90, of Springs, died June 15. Thomas B. Dobies Home, Tarpon Avenue Chapel, Tarpon 27, of Palm Harbor, formerly of Pasco died June 10. National Cremation Society, HEDLEY VICTOR JR. "DICK," died June 14.
National Clearwater. ERIC 44, of Clearwater, Moss-Feaster Funeral Homes Serenity Gardens Chapel, PHILIP 52, of Tarpon Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Chapel, Tarpon Springs. EDNA 100, of Tarpon Springs, Richey, died June 15. North Funeral Home, New Port June 15.
91, of Cremation died June Cremation Largo. Springs, died Home, Tarpon formerly of Richey. MURANO, ADAM, 82, of hom*osassa Springs, formerly of St. Peters burg, died Tuesday (June 13, 2006) at home. He was born in New York City and moved to hom*osassa Springs from St.
Petersburg 17 years ago. He was a member and retired senior adult minister for First Baptist Church of hom*osassa. He also served as a nurs ing home minister for more than 30 years in St. Petersburg and Citrus County. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and member of First Baptist Church of hom*osassa.
Survivors include his wife, Carole A. Tomlinson Murano: two sons, Steve, Homestead, and Jim, South Toms River, N.J.; two daughters, Doria Bechtel, Hampton, and Darlene Forkal, Falls. a sister, Bay Bittrolf, Alford; and 12 grandchildren. Wilder Funeral Home, hom*osassa Springs. Treasure Island BUCHHOLZ, FLORENCE ROSE, 72, of Treasure Island, died Thursday (June 15, 2006) at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, St.
Petersburg. She was born in Chicago and came here in 1997 from Rolling Meadows, Ill. She was a registered nurse and evangelical Christian. Survivors include her hus band of 55 years, Donald a son, Donald Bruce, Woodridge, two daughters, Donna Jay Buchholz, Redington Shores, and Bonnie Roselle DeAlva, Franklin Park, and seven grandchildren. E.
James Reese Funeral Home and Crematory, Seminole. FUNERAL NOTICES HARTLEY JENNIE D. Survived daughter, Rosanne Hartley, parents, Roy Hartley (retired St. Pete Police) Anne Hartley (retired high school teacher), siblings, Sue Sharlow, Mark Roy Hartley, and 4 grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be 1 p.m.
Monday, June 19, 2006 at the Cathedral of St. Jude the There will be a recitation of the rosary before the Mass at 12:30 p.m. Burial, Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Vincent dePaul Society at St.
Judes or St. Jude School Campaign for the Campus, 5815 5th Ave. No. St. Petersburg, FL 33710.
On line memorial guestbook www.brettfuneralhome.net HEFFNER SUSAN Passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2006. Graveside services will be held on Monday, June 19, at 12 noon at Memorial Park Cemetery 5750-49th St. N. St. Petersburg, Fl.
WILFORD Luther Green Bevins Memorial Service Sunday 1:00 p.m. at New Covenant Baptist Church, 3850 Pompano Drive S.E. Rev. Joseph Bobby Reid, Pastor, Eulogist. Cortege 2159 68th Ave.
So. Entrusted Care To SMITH FUNERAL IN MEMORIAMS MELVIN L. BETTS March 30, 1927 to August 13, 2004 Happy Father's Day My sweetheart! We all miss you and love you Wife, Carole and Children. Sell your stuff. 1-877-321-SELL Petersburg.
