Landmark restaurant's founder dies

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 27, 2007

CLEARWATER

Bob Heilman Sr., who created Bob Heilman's Beachcomber restaurant, died Monday (Nov. 26, 2007) at Westchester Gardens nursing home in Clearwater. He was 86. His daughter, Nancy Heilman Herr, 60, died about two weeks ago from complications after a liver transplant. After serving in World War II, Mr. Heilman moved to Clearwater Beach to be closer to his parents. Two days before Thanksgiving in 1948, he opened the Mandalay Avenue restaurant that grew to attract a massive following. When asked about his key to success, Mr. Heilman always noted that service came first. A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Chapel by the Sea on Clearwater Beach.

TAMPA

Woman accused of assaulting mother

A 52-year-old Tampa woman has been accused of hitting her mother in the face with a telephone and trying to strangle her by wrapping the phone cord around her neck, according to an arrest report. Michele Helene Villemaire, 52, of 7212 Cypress Lake Drive faces charges of domestic battery, strangulation and assault or battery on a person 65 years or older, jail records show. Deputies arrested Villemaire, who is unemployed, at 9:35 p.m. Sunday, records show. Deputies say the two women have lived together for a year. They got into an argument that turned physical when Villemaire pulled the phone and phone cord out of the wall and hit her 79-year-old mother, deputies say. Villemaire was held without bail on Monday.

PLANT CITY

Autos burglarized at Dinosaur World

Hillsborough deputies are searching for burglars who broke into three autos at Dinosaur World. The vehicles were burglarized Nov. 19 at the Plant City park, 5145 Tew Road. In two cases, the thieves took the victim's purse, credit cards and cash. They later tried to buy a $1,000 41-inch television at an Office Depot on Hillsborough Avenue. They left when a clerk asked for identification. Anyone with information may call the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

[Last modified November 26, 2007, 23:39:42]