We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Paul Bithorn, former Mayor of the Village of Virginia Gardens and bird lover.
According to the Village of Virginia Gardens, “Mayor Bithorn was a lifelong resident and dedicated civil servant to our community. Paul served as a council member from 1987 to 1995, and as Mayor from 1995 to 2003. Mayor Bithorn laid the groundwork that helped our Village grow into what it is today. Anyone who had the pleasure to know Paul knows he had a huge heart and a one-of-a-kind personality. Paul is survived by his mother, siblings, and 3 children. He will be missed by many. We will share more information regarding services when it becomes available.”
The website CrowdandCloud.org had the following bio for Paul:
A native to Miami, Paul has led birding field trips for the Tropical Audubon Society, and many other environmental and civic groups, for over 20 years. Paul has served on the organization’s Board of Directors, and currently sat on the board for Curtiss Mansion Inc., an organization dedicated to the restoration of the home of Glenn Curtiss, an aviation pioneer and “Father of Naval Aviation.” Paul also served as Mayor of his hometown, Virginia Gardens, where he encouraged residents to xeriscape by planting native species of plants and shrubs to attract birds and butterflies.
Paul has contributed to several bird-finding guides, including the ABA’s “A Birder’s Guide to Florida”, “A Birder’s Guide to the Bahama Islands”, the “Birding Florida Falcon Guide”, “Parrots of South Florida”, and “The Crossley Guide; Eastern Birds.” His documentation of parrot species in Miami was featured in the June/July 2008 issue of the National Wildlife Federation magazine and the November 1st, 2008 issue of “Birders World” (now Birdwatching).
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paul’s friends and family.
