Obituaries
Cyrus Bispham, Sarasota Leader, Dies at Age 87
A native of Sarasota, Cyrus Bispham was deeply involved in the civic life of Sarasota.
![](https://patch.com/img/cdn/users/61838/2013/07/raw/674746b3a4a45e153f8709245436db89.jpg)
From the chamber of commerce to the county charter, Cyrus Graves Bispham was a key leader in shaping the policies and institutions that define modern day Sarasota.
Born in Sarasota in 1925, Bispham died on June 26, 2013, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He was 87 years old.
Bispham helped to establish the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay, the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Pine Shores Presbyterian Church. He also served on the board that drew up the county charter.
Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Bispham had deep roots in Sarasota, with his father running Bayside Dairy in a family farmhouse where the younger Bispham was born, according to Sarasota History Alive!
Bispham graduated from Sarasota High School and served in World War II. He helped to run the family dairy business after the war, and also married Doris Wagner, his wife of 65 years.
Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
He later became a realtor and was active in civic affairs.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.