Safety Harbor pays tribute to city leader Keith Zayac

SAFETY HARBOR — There were enough seats for 75. But that was hardly enough to accommodate all of the people former Safety Harbor City Commissioner Keith Zayac affected during his 49 years.

Politicians, colleagues, relatives and friends flooded the Rigsby Recreational Center on Friday, as the city dedicated a portion of the enhanced Phillippe Parkway in his memory.

Zayac — a civil engineer and landscape architect — designed the project, one of his last before his Sept. 29 suicide.

The Rev. Kurt Parker and Safety Harbor Mayor Andy Steingold called on the crowd to celebrate, not cry.

But it was hard not to weep.

The mayor, Zayac's business partners and others shared stories of a confident man with a big handshake and an even bigger smile. They said he coached Little League, raised money for good causes and stepped up to serve his city.

Pinellas County Commissioner Neil Brickfield, who presented the family with a proclamation on the commission's behalf, recalled how Zayac's face would light up when his wife entered the room.

"I wouldn't have to turn my back to know you were in the room," he told her. "If I was talking to Keith and you walked in, he'd keep talking to me, but his eyes would sparkle and his body language would change."

Brickfield told attendees how Zayac doted on and raved about his children, Ariana, 18, and Logan, 15. One time, Zayac and his daughter went to an exhibition match featuring tennis star Jennifer Capriati. Ariana won an opportunity to volley with Capriati and held her own against the one-time tennis great.

"I've heard your dad tell that story 20 times," Brickfield said to Ariana. "He absolutely loved telling people about how you took it to Jennifer Capriati."

Near the end of the dedication, family members rose from their seats and went on stage.

Ariana was too overcome with emotion to join them. Mother and son pulled back a sheet and unveiled a rendering of the street sign that now sits at the intersection of Church Street and Phillippe Parkway.

Welcome to Safety Harbor

The Jewel of Tampa Bay

In memory of Keith Zayac

Sheryl Zayac surveyed the crowd, which was standing-room only. She could no longer hold back the tears. And neither could anyone else, the mayor included. She said it was because of all the people in that room that her husband was part of Safety Harbor and loved it so.

"I'll say thank you," she said, "because you all have been so wonderful."

Rodney Thrash can be reached at rthrash@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4167.