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Late Tequesta mayor's passion for life showed
in his community activism
By Debbie Batteiger Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers
Friday, June 3, 2011
Carlton Stoddard was passionate about two things in life: his beloved wife, Alberta
Stoddard, and his Tequesta community.
Stoddard, who was 97 when he died May 31, was mayor from 1983 to 1988.
Friends and associates remember him as an outspoken advocate for the village of
Tequesta long after his council term ended.
One predominate cause Stoddard will be remembered for is transformation of the
village fountain on Tequesta Drive into a Fountain of Honor, according to former Mayor
Pat Watkins.
He turned the fountain into a place where residents' names are inscribed and could
become a part of the village history.
"He was a prolific man and his issues were important to him," she said.
"Everyone will remember him for that. He wanted it be a place the whole village could
be proud of," Watkins said.
Village councilman Jim Humpage recalled he knew Stoddard for the past 25 years.
"He was a character," Humpage said. "Carlton's greatest love was his wife, and a close
second was the local scene and politics."
Humpage, also a former mayor, also said the Fountain of Honor became one of
Stoddard's greatest contributions to Tequesta.
In the 1960s, Stoddard's wife, Alberta, was a member of the local garden club,
Humpage said.
As part of the garden club, she helped create the Village Green Fountain. After her
death, Stoddard made it his work to transform it.
"Whenever I saw Carlton, he used to remind me of Gabby Hayes. He was the first one
to give you his opinion with both barrels," Humpage said, smiling. "He never missed an
opportunity to give a few words."
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Liz Schauer, a friend of Stoddard for 22 years and also a former mayor, said the entire
community will feel his loss.
"He always said he wanted Tequesta to stay a small community; and it has," she said.
"(In local government) he always had his fingers in the pot for the greater good."
Schauer said there was no guessing with Stoddard. "You always knew where you
stood with him. You knew if he liked you or if he didn't," she said.
Mayor Tom Paterno said he always noted Stoddard's commitment to exactly what he
believed in.
"He was a pit bull; when you saw him you saw his boldness," Paterno said. "He was
much older than me but I knew of the Fountain of Honor. He was devoted to it."
Humpage said he will miss his old friend.
"I'll bet 10 to 1 that he and Alberta are looking for a good park," Humpage quipped.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of
Jupiter/Tequesta, 815 Indiantown Road, in Jupiter.
m 2011 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online
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