Robert R. “Bob” Gill, 75, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at his residence in Punta Gorda.

Robert Gill, better known as “Bob” to those who knew him, served in the U.S. Army. He started his business career owning Gill’s Florist in Union City, N.J., in 1960. From there, he and his wife Diane moved to Warwick, N.Y., and started Willow Grove Garden Center. After 15 years of business in Warwick, they decided to move south and settled on Port Charlotte, Fla. Bob was to be in retirement, but after only a few months he became restless and decided to purchase Flowers by Jim in Punta Gorda. The business grew quickly and the name was then changed to Punta Gorda Flower Shop, while he was also opening Port Charlotte Florist in the Promenades Mall. The building of Port Charlotte Florist in Murdock, Fla., began in 1983, and at one point Bob and Diane had three locations for Port Charlotte Florist, while also owning Parker’s Florist. Over the years, and through many changes, Port Charlotte was once again one location. Bob and Diane then retired in 2007 to their home in Punta Gorda.