George Shepard "Dad" Gandy (October 20, 1851 – November 25, 1946) was a business executive and developer, best known for constructing the original Gandy Bridge

Gandy Bridge

Gandy Bridge is the southernmost bridge spanning Old Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg, Florida to Tampa, Florida. Almost three miles long, it is one of three bridges connecting Hillsborough County and Pinellas County; the others being the Howard Frankland Bridge and the Courtney Campbell...

, the first bridge to span the Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and estuary along the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay."Tampa Bay" is not the name of any municipality...

. He is also known for developing numerous buildings and transportation lines in Philadelphia and St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...

.
George Gandy was born in Tuckahoe, New Jersey

Tuckahoe, New Jersey

Tuckahoe is an unincorporated community in Upper Township, Cape May County, New Jersey, United States.-Bridge construction:A bridge, constructed in 1920 and renovated in 1962, connects Tuckahoe to Corbin City, its neighbor to the north...

. His father was a ship captain

Captain (nautical)

A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...

. Gandy dropped out of grammar school

Grammar school

A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...

 and made money writing wedding invitations.