They called him “Mr. Publix” — a man known throughout the Tampa Bay community as not only one of the public faces of the grocery giant, but also the physical embodiment of its founding principles and philosophies. Invest in others. Give back. Prepare for opportunity. Be there.
And Brian West was always there. For his family, his church, his job and his beloved Plant City community.
West, a longtime community relations manager for Publix Supermarkets Inc. and devoted civic leader, died unexpectedly June 22 after suffering a fall the day before Father’s Day. The 58-year-old husband and father of three was at home, preparing to throw a going-away party for his son, who was recently admitted into West Point, at the time of the accident, friends say. His wife, Cork Elementary School principal Jennifer West, took to social media on Monday requesting privacy for her family to grieve in the coming days…