Anthony Albert More

MORE, PhD, Anthony Albert, 80, 3rd generation owner of La Segunda Central Bakery and the world’s best Poppy, passed away at home on April 2, 2023.“Tony” was born November 29, 1942, in West Tampa to Anthony More and Aida Cuyar More.

He was raised in Tampa and attended Tampa Bay Elementary School, West Tampa Junior High, and Jefferson High School. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Chemistry and was a member of the University’s first graduating class in 1963. He continued his chemistry education by pursuing a PhD at his cherished Florida State University. It was on those Seminole stomping grounds that he met his sweetheart, Judy Ann Copeland from Ft. Lauderdale. She was in the first class in which he was a teaching assistant at FSU in the fall of 1964 and quickly caught his eye. She earned an “A” that semester and they went on to marry in December 1966. Upon completion of his doctorate degree, Tony and Judy returned to Tampa. They settled down to raise a family and spent their next 56 years together watching more sporting events than one can count, traveling, gardening, wood working, fishing, golfing, enjoying their wonderful lifelong friends, and watching their family grow. Family was Tony’s greatest joy.

Tony began his career teaching high school chemistry and coaching the tennis team at Mulberry High School an hour outside of Tampa. After the birth of their first child, he wanted to work closer to home and decided to enter the family business. He joined his father, uncle, and cousin at La Segunda Bakery to continue the legacy started by his grandfather, Juan More’, in 1915. He spent the next 50 years of his life in the family bakery business where he grew, expanded, and most importantly to him, upheld the traditions started by his grandfather. His proudest moment came when his own son, Anthony Copeland More, joined him in 2009. Together, father and son, grew the bakery to a nationally recognized brand currently producing over 20,000 loaves of Cuban bread daily in four locations throughout the Tampa Bay area. Tony was the core of the La Segunda family and insisted on the integrity of the Cuban bread and recipes. He cherished his Ybor City roots and ensured that all of the heritage was instilled in every item produced at the Bakery. Until recently, Tony could be found baking bread, fixing ovens, making pastries, improving recipes, or socializing with the bakery employees, all of whom he considered family.

While the bakery was a huge part of his life, his wife, children, and grandchildren brought him the utmost happiness; and were his biggest achievement. Poppy was the best father and grandfather anyone could ever ask for. He made it a priority to attend his grandchildren’s events. He relished in watching the successes of his children and grandchildren, attending their sporting and school events, and making his famous palomilla steaks for them on Sunday nights. He loved to play golf with his buddies, go fishing with his children and grandchildren, cook for family and friends, and visit his favorite places on Earth: Boca Grande, FL, Long Boat Key, FL and Hilton Head, SC.

He was a member of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club, board member of Tampa Bay Little League, 2014 Jefferson High School Hall of Fame inductee, and member of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Lynne More Ziegler, and his in-laws, W. Grady Copeland, and Irene Davis Copeland. He is survived by his wife, Judy Copeland More; children: Jennifer More Stauffer of Tampa; Suzanne More Paul (Edward J. Paul) of Denver, CO; Anthony Copeland More (Stephanie Rosemurgy More) of Tampa and his seven precious grandchildren: John Grady Stauffer, Mary Katherine “Katie” Paul, Henry Willan Stauffer, James McCormick Paul, Davis Anthony Stauffer, Lillian Emma More and Margaret “Margo” Irene More. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Robert L. Ziegler, his sister-in-law, Mary Copeland Gonzalez and her husband, Judge Jose Gonzalez, Jr., and his nieces, Valerie Ziegler, Lissa Rogers, and Linlee Elbert and their families.

The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Kreitzer, Dr. Carolyn Connelly, and Dr. Cheech Castellvi for taking care of our Dad through the years. In addition, special thanks to his devoted caretakers, Ruthie Altamirano, Chae Glover, Valerie Norman, and Cindy White.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 4:30 pm at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church at 3501 W. San Jose Street, Tampa, FL with our family pastor, the Reverend Dr. John T. Debevoise officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Tampa Bay Little League (www.tbll.org) where Tony was an active parent, grandparent, coach and spectator for over 40 years.