Clock dedication a timely tribute

At the southwest entrance to Sarasota’s Five Points Park stands a piece of Sarasota history often overlooked. If it weren’t for the efforts of one man, the stained-glass adorned clock that welcomes visitors might never have seen the time of day.

The clock was originally mounted in the 1920s on the corner of the Palmer Bank Building in Five Points Park, but when the building was remodeled, the clock wound up in storage, where it sat — forgotten — for the next two decades.

In 1992, the late Carroll Ramsey, a Sarasota County Parks and Recreation employee, happened upon it one day at work.

Carroll Ramsey, or “Corky,” as people knew him, always had an eye for beauty. A professional welder for more than 20 years, he enjoyed working with his hands, and when he uncovered the historic timepiece, which was in several pieces, he couldn’t stand the thought of letting something so beautiful waste away.

“He was looking for materials, and he found the parts of this old clock,” said his wife, Marlies Ramsey. “So, he asked the commissioners if he could have permission to restore it. He always said that if he could turn something ugly into something beautiful, it would make him happy.”

With Ramsey’s background as a welder and stained-glass artist, the project was a perfect fit.

“He wasn’t college educated, but he could solve any problem,” said Marlies Ramsey. “He was very clever with his hands.”

After the restoration, the clock was mounted on two poles at the south corner of Five Points Park, where it remains today. According to his family, Ramsey never sought recognition for his work. In fact, he didn’t talk much about it at all.

“Dad was not a prideful person whatsoever,” said his son, Wayne Ramsey. “He didn’t brag. He would get compliments about the clock, but he was always very ‘aw, shucks’ about it.”

When Ramsey died earlier this year, his family decided that, despite his modesty, he deserved recognition for his work, so they approached city employees.

The city of Sarasota recently announced that it will honor Ramsey with a plaque detailing his role in the clock’s restoration. According to Dr. Clifford Smith, the city’s senior planner, the city plans to honor Ramsey with a ceremony upon its installation.

“It’s a shame we weren’t able to get this done before he passed away, but we’re all really happy to see this done,” said Marlies Ramsey.