Former Mayor, Community Leader Pat Cain Dead at 76

Life-long resident and supporter of numerous area charitable causes, Dale Patrick Cain of Lake Wales passed away Monday, May 20.

News file photo

Community leaders and philanthropist Pat Cain passed away this week after a short battle with cancer. He was 76.

Pat, as he was known to his many friends, was a third generation Lake Wales resident who served as a Lake Wales City Commissioner from 1988 until 1992, serving as mayor in 1991-1992.

A 1965 graduate of Lake Wales High School, he played both offense and defense on the Highlander Football squads in two undefeated seasons in 1963 and 1964, as more recently served as president of the Lake Wales High School Booster Club. He earned a football scholarship to the Georgia Institute of Technology, later transferring to the University of Florida where he majored in finance and worked as a financial planner for 29 years.

Pat served on the boards of many community organizations including the Lake Wales Care Center, Lake Wales Charter Schools, the Lake Wales Citrus Growers Association, Victory Ridge Academy, and the Lake Wales Arts Center, where he was "instrumental" in the fund-raising efforts to establish the center, helping save a historic former church from possible demolition. He offered financial support to many local organizations including the Lake Wales Hospital, the Family YMCA, and Lake Wales Heritage.

Pat was also past president of the Lake Wales YMCA, served as an umpire for the Lake Wales Little League, and participated in the Kairos prison ministry.

"He was always there when you needed him," said lifelong friend and teammate Lee Turnquist. "He was always willing to help."

Pat is survived by a large family including his wife of 25 years, Nancy. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 28 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 221 South 4th Street in Lake Wales. The Rev. Father Timothy Nunez will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations can be made to the Lake Wales Care Center, Victory Ridge Academy, or the Lake Wales High School Booster Club.