LAKE ALFRED - Wayne L. Mitchell, 74, passed away Friday, September 4, 2009 at Heart of Fla. Regional Medical Center from heart failure.
He was a native Floridian born in Miami, Fla. on December 6, 1934. He graduated from Winter Haven High School and the University of Florida with a BA in Physical Education. He retired after 30 years with Walt Disney World as Senior Safety Administrator.
Wayne developed and wrote training and safety manuals for Walt Disney, NAUI (National Association of Underwater Scuba Instructors) and a "Defensive Boating Course" for law enforcement officers on the waterways.
He was on the Board of Directors for NAUI and listed as one of the top 99 scuba instructors in the United States. He also received the National Safety Council's "Distinguished Service to Safety Award." He received national awards from The National Safe Boating Council, U.S. Coast Guard, the American Heart Association and NAUI.
Wayne was a publisher of numerous articles on scuba diving, safety standards for playground equipment and aquatic safety standards.
He served on the Boards of the Central Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross and the The Central Florida Heart Association's CPR for Citizens.
After retirement from Walt Disney World, he began two new businesses on Abaco Island in the Grand Bahamas in ABACO Dive Adventures and ABACO Underseas Adventures in conjunction with Walt Disney's cruises to their island of "Castaway Cay."
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Mitchell, and brother, Gary Mitchell. He is survived by his son Lee Gillespie (Karolyn), granddaughter Audrey Gillespie, grandson Ian Nelson, mother Dorothy Coffey, sister Linda Mitchell and brother Richard "Sandy" Mitchell.
Memorial services will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care located at 2425 Havendale Blvd. in Winter Haven. Services will begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 9th.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Association of Underwater Scuba Instructors, at NAUI Headquarters, 1232 Tech Blvd, Tampa, Fl., 33619 (attn: Box 101); The American Heart Association or The American Red Cross.
