Obituary of Allen Saunders

Close your eyes and relax. Feel the warmth of the sun on your face and the gentle rustle of the ocean breeze through your hair. Notice the scent of salt in the balmy sea air. Allow yourself to be taken back in time to experience an epic voyage. A voyage that spanned a course just shy of seven decades. It all began in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 2, 1946, as Edward and Helen Saunders welcomed their first born child into the world. That moment sparked the beginning of the epic voyage that was the life of Allen R. Saunders. Early on, his course would be influenced by familial factors, including being blessed with younger brother, Steven, and baby sister, Gail. Having a father who was career military, first Navy then Air Force, Allen would arrive in Panama City, Florida, where his love and aptitude for sailing would be realized. Attending Rutherford High there, and graduating in 1965, would allow him a desirable location to pursue his passion, and it was his mother, Helen who sewed the sail for his very first sail boat that set his dream in motion. In the meantime, Allen fostered a love for animals of all varieties, culminating in his decision to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. After graduating from the University of Florida (Go Gators!) with his Bachelor's degree, he sailed on to Auburn University to complete his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. His determination to put into practice his hard earned degree set him on course to arrive at Murphy animal hospital, in Tampa Florida, where the winds of fate would intervene. Not long after he pulled into port there, a beautiful young lady brought in her dachshund, who was having disc problems. (And to hear Allen tell it, "Sunshine" wasn't just the name of the pet that day!) Being the conscientious and concerned practitioner he was, always the consummate professional, he followed up with Miss Candace to see how Sunshine was doing. (Oh, and if maybe Candace would like to accompany him to dinner to discuss the most appropriate care plan for Sunshine...) The rest, as they say, is history. That young lady would agree to be his first mate for life, and became Mrs. Allen Saunders (known affectionately to all as Candy) on February 23, 1974. Four years later, on February 10, 1978, they would add a second mate to their crew. Little did they know how much Todd Allen Saunders would follow in his dad's footsteps, with an equally avid love of animals and sailing and a comparable zest for life (and the Buccaneers). Allen first began to captain his own career vessel when he opened Buccaneer Square in Tampa Florida. Several years later he would purchase the property that would become Baycrest Animal Clinic, where he would continue and ultimately complete his career. While Dr. Saunders actually sold the practice several years ago, he continued on "part time" in a "semi-retired" state, with plans to retire fully in May 2016, to enjoy the sunshine and sea in his and Candy's retirement condo on Madeira Beach. Allen wore many caps in his life, most captain in nature. He was certainly at the helm of all that he endeavored. Perhaps the most important of these hats was that of family man. As husband of Candy, and father of Todd, he mapped out a course that ensured them a life filled with love, adventure, and family. Welcoming exchange students into their home from across the globe, year after year, they spread that feeling of family, love, and camaraderie. To this day they are still close to many of those people who came as students and left as members of the Saunders family. His role as family man extended to his parents and extended family as well. While his father was called home years ago, his mother still resides in Gainesville, where Allen would frequently visit and call every Wednesday before seeing patients. He stayed in contact with his siblings and extended family alike, including his wife's extended family. You see, whether "family" by birth, proximity, association, friendship, or marriage, Allen Saunders surely had family and friends internationally. Not only in family, but sailing as well, he surely was Captain of his sea vessels. His first sailboat in Tampa, (the unnamed beauty that Candy gave him) he would use to try to impart his love of sailing onto her. Their first time out in it he just forgot one thinga�"the motora�"(for the non sailors reading this, it's the "just in case" part of the sailboat, but to hear Allen tell it, "it isn't necessary just adds too much weight"). It might not have been an issue had they not hit the Gandy Bridge, knocking the mast off. (One has to wonder if any of that was intentional to get Candy and him stranded alone). He would go on to Captain Whisper, Witch Doctor, Cat's Meow (a sweet fatherly acronym personified in his sea vessel "Candy Allen Todd ' Saunders Meow"), and ultimately Untouchable. He and Todd (with various skilled and loyal crew members from far and near who would also become family) would frequent the Thursday night race circuit from Davis Island Yacht Club, and many other races including such exotic destinations as Mexico, Cuba and Key West. SunCoast Race week was always a favorite. No matter the time or the destination, Candy could always be found at the finish line waiting for her sailors to come home! Sharing family, life, love and a zest for adventure, was not confined to the seas. Allen and Candy were fortunate to have traveled to some amazing places, both stateside and abroad. They enjoyed Thailand, various destinations in Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Russia, Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and many, many others. Allen was, and always will be, captain, husband, soul mate, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, Papa Allen, father in law, veterinarian, sailor, buccaneer fan and season ticket holder, teacher, friend and mentor. From the very beginning he took the helm, steering his vessel through life filled with love, family, adventure, friendship, courage, leadership, humor, healing, stewardship, compassion, and selflessness. Even as the sea called him home on February 24, 2016, surely he exuded pride, peace and grace in his journey. Godspeed Captain Allen! David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family. Service Information