Remembering Jimmy Buffet: Central Florida reacts to beloved singer, environmental activist’s death

ORLANDO, Fla. — For many people, it was his music; for others, it was the island lifestyle he personified.

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Jimmy Buffett’s impact on Central Florida went far beyond both and now continues as part of his legacy.

A music icon, ‘Parrot Heads’ across the country, are mourning the passing of singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

“Here we are on Labor Day weekend with the passing of Jimmy Buffet,” Jimmy Weeklet, Fauto’s Food Palace owner, said. “He’s doing another show now, but it’s in the sky.”

But he was more than just an award-winning musician.

Read: ‘Margaritaville’ singer Jimmy Buffett, who turned beach-bum life into an empire, dies at 76

Buffett was also a pillar for a Central Florida conservation group.

He co-founded the “Save the Manatee” club with former governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham in 1981.

It’s now the world’s leading manatee conservation organization.

Patrick Rose is an aquatic biologist and the executive director of the group.

“He’s just been such a person that you just think he’s going to be there forever,” he said.

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Buffett’s involvement didn’t stop with the founding; he also walked picket lines for the group.

In a video from April 1992, Channel 9 interviewed him as he played an instrumental role in a lawsuit between the Florida Audubon Society and Save the Manatee Club over the club’s right to be independent.

“All I want to do is get back to operating and do what’s best for the manatee,” Buffet said.

For him, it was a love of the sea and working to protect the animals, Everglades, and waterways.

Read: Celebrities react to Jimmy Buffett’s death

“He really wanted to give us that start,” Rose said. “And he was there and always there when we needed him.”

For Rose, remembering what Jimmy Buffett meant to Florida will endure just like his music and message.

“Look out for manatees-- I know Jimmy would want them to do that,” he said.

Buffett, who was diagnosed with melanoma in early 2020, once said, “If there’s a heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached.”

Photos: Jimmy Buffett through the years

Jimmy Buffett through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 09: Musician Jimmy Buffett performs at the after party for the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Jurassic World" at Hollywood & Highland on June 9, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Jimmy Buffett through the years NEW YORK - MAY 14: Musician Jimmy Buffett arrives at Jazz At Lincoln Center's 6th Annual Spring Gala on May 14, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Jimmy Buffett through the years NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 07: Jimmy Buffett performs during the 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival - Day 6 presented by Shell at The Fair Grounds Race Course on May 7, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Jimmy Buffett through the years EAST HAMPTON, NY - AUGUST 11: (L-R) Ashley Olsen, Jimmy Buffett and Mary Kate Olsen pose for photos at the Hampton Social @ Ross Concert by James Taylor at the Ross School on August 11, 2007 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Hampton Social @ Ross) (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Jimmy Buffett through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 28: Matthew McConaughey (L) and Jimmy Buffett arrive at the Los Angeles Premiere for Neon and Vice Studio's The Beach Bum at ArcLight Hollywood on March 28, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for NEON) (Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for NEON)

Jimmy Buffett through the years NEW YORK, NY - MAY 29: Musician Jimmy Buffett performs onstage during Lincoln Center's American Songbook Gala at Alice Tully Hall on May 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Lincoln Center) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Lincoln Center)

Jimmy Buffett through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 14: Recording artist Jimmy Buffett (C) stands with members of the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team as he toasts the crowd during the grand opening celebration for the Margaritaville Casino at Flamingo Las Vegas October 14, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The casino set the Guinness World Records title for largest gallon beverage with an 8,500-gallon, two-story Margarita named "Lucky Rita." (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Flamingo Las Vegas) (Ethan Miller)

Jimmy Buffett through the years KEY WEST, FL - APRIL 01: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Singer Jimmy Buffett performs at the San Carlos Institute on April 01, 2015 in Key West, Florida. Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band put on the concert as part of a fan contest. (Photo by Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)

Jimmy Buffett through the years NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: Jimmy Buffett (C) takes opening night bow during the Broadway premiere of "Escape to Margaritaville" the new musical featuring songs by Jimmy Buffett at the Marquis Theatre on March 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Escape To Margaritaville) (Noam Galai/Getty Images for Escape To Marga)

Jimmy Buffett through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: (L-R) Jimmy Buffett and Jane Slagsvol attend the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 27, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Jimmy Buffett through the years NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Actor Richard Belzer (L) and Jimmy Buffett take phone calls during the "Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education" presented by Comedy Central at the Beacon Theatre on April 13, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images for Comedy Central) (Scott Gries)

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