Mr. Roth was known as a demanding employer who created an atmosphere that cultivated excellence.
By MARTY CLEAR
Published September 3, 2004
ANDRE ROTH: 1949 - 2004
SOHO - Life in South Tampa has a little less flavor now.
Andre Roth, one of the area's most respected and well-known restaurateurs, died unexpectedly last Saturday (Aug. 28, 2004) at the age of 55.
The death was so sudden that even a few days later, his son Nuri Gocay didn't know the exact cause of death.
"All I know is his heart failed," Gocay said. "It was very unexpected, very quick and very painless."
Mr. Roth, who had been passionate about food for his entire adult life, worked in and owned several area restaurants, including an ABC Pizza in Wesley Chapel.
In the early 1990s, he bought Cafe by the Bay at 1350 S Howard Ave. and turned it into a popular South Tampa restaurant.
"Before he took it over, it had been pretty much a sandwich shop," Gocay said. "He turned it into a bistro. That word gets thrown around a lot, but this truly was a bistro."
After Mr. Roth added evening service, it didn't take long before Cafe by the Bay became known for its quality dining. Mr. Roth's cooking helped the restaurant garner awards and critical praise.
(Last year, Mr. Roth cut back hours and eliminated regular dinner service.)
"He was very particular about his food," Gocay said. "The food he prepared, no one touched it but him. He was insistent about that. And it wasn't just food. He was very artistic in a number of areas. He could do some of the most beautiful calligraphy you ever saw, and he did ice sculpting."
Gocay, the second of Mr. Roth's three children, said he didn't know too many details of his father's early life. Mr. Roth, whose birth name was Ahmet Gocay, was born in Turkey, served in the Turkish army and navy, and moved to the United States as a young adult.
In the 1970s he moved to South Tampa. He was not married at the time, and his children went to live with grandparents in Pasco County.
Despite the distance, Gocay said, Mr. Roth always was available for them, even if just by phone. They knew their father was working hard to provide for them, Gocay said.
"He had a very strong work ethic," Gocay said. "I always admired him for that, and I think that's where I got my own work ethic."
Both of Mr. Roth's sons worked with him at Cafe by the Bay. Last year, he married a chef at the restaurant named Darien.
Even though Mr. Roth had been previously married, he seemed to have found the love of his life in Darien.
"I have never seen my father happier in his life," Gocay said. "There's a waitress here at the restaurant who said she wishes she could charge a quarter for every time she saw them kiss. She'd be a millionaire. My father was very happy and very fulfilled."
At the restaurant, Mr. Roth was a demanding employer who created an atmosphere that cultivated excellence. Employees respected his quest for perfection, and many worked at the restaurant the entire time Mr. Roth owned it, becoming like family.
"We could yell at each other and fight with each other during work," said longtime cook LeRoy Carroll. "But at the end of the day we were hugging and laughing."
Mr. Roth is survived by his wife; his daughter, Fulay Gocay; sons Nuri and Jeremiah Gocay; and one grandchild.
