Commissioner Mike Greenwell mourned
Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell, 62, died this morning following a battle with cancer.
The North Alga Republican served in District 5 since 2022, after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to fill the vacancy left by the death of longtime Commissioner Frank Mann, who also died of cancer. Greenwell won a Republican Party primary a month later and then a special election that November to retain his seat and fill out the remainder of the seat’s term. Greenwell was re-elected in 2024 to a new term in office and also served as a past chair of the county commissioners.
Greenwell was a popular outfielder and two-time All-Star for the Boston Red Sox, nicknamed “Gator” and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2008.
A graduate of North Fort Myers High School, Greenwell was the longtime operator of a fruit and vegetable farm in North Olga, where he resided. He operated Produce 31, a market and cafe, which he sold and closed recently as part of compensation for eminent domain actions by the State of Florida for the widening of State Road 31, which was renamed Babcock Ranch Road. He and his family also operated a contracting business. He previously owned “Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park” in Cape Coral, which opened in 1992. It is now named Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park under new ownership.
Lee County District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass knew Greenwell since the two worked together as teenagers at the Edison Mall. Pendergrass had served with Greenwell on the county board of commissioners since Greenwell was appointed.
“It’s very, very unfortunate. We were hoping Mike would be able to fight this. It’s a very unfortunate disease,” Pendergrass said. “I will truly miss him.”
Pendergrass credited Greenwell for his work getting the Lee Civic Center back open and supporting the rebuild there.
“It needed a lot of attention and we are in that process long-term rebuilding that civic center and the 4-H program and everything else he supported there,” he said.
“He was definitely passionate about Lee County,” Pendergrass said. “It was nice having him there (on the board) because he had the local knowledge.”
Pendergrass said Greenwell had “a passion to make government more efficient and more effective and to provide services for the community.”
Pendergrass said Greenwell was a “great family man, a great person, dedicated to the county and making Lee County a great place.”
Pendergrass and Greenwell worked together in the food court of the Edison Mall together while in high school, when Greenwell was dating his future wife Tracy, Pendergrass said.
“He was very passionate about baseball,” he said. “It was a small town. We hung out together on weekends.”
Greenwell’s talent at baseball quickly led him to the Boston Red Sox, who drafted him out of North Fort Myers High School in 1982 in the third round of the MLB Amateur Draft.
“Next thing I know he went off and became famous,” Pendergrass said. “It was a lifelong dream of his.”
The two went from working together on the grill in the kitchen of a restaurant and preparing sandwiches to serving on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners more than 40 years later.
As far as who will succeed him, Pendergrass said it will be up to Gov. Ron DeSantis to name a replacement until Greenwell’s seat is up for re-election in November of 2026. DeSantis technically could leave the seat open as well.
“He was a “great family man, a great person, dedicated to the county and making Lee County a great place and easy to do business.
Lee County District 1 Commissioner Kevin Ruane said Greenwell was “more than a colleague, he was my friend. He was very passionate about his role in serving the community where he grew up. Although he was a leader and took his role seriously, he could also add levity to any board meeting with a quick anecdote and a smile. We will miss him. My condolences and prayers go out to his wife Tracy and his entire family.”
“Mike Greenwell has always been a local hero, a hometown boy from North Fort Myers who made it big,” said District 4 County Commissioner Brian Hamman in a Facebook post. “After his baseball career, Mike drove race cars and later competed in professional bass fishing tournaments. Whatever he did, he worked hard to be at the top of his game.
“When he joined us on the County Commission, I’ll admit I was a little starstruck, but I also knew he would pick it up quickly.
“Sadly, I learned today that Mike passed away after a battle with thyroid cancer. I want to send my deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to Tracy and the entire Greenwell family. I always admired how much Mike cared for his family. He was proud of them and loved them deeply. He also cared deeply for this community and worked hard to make it a better place as a commissioner.
“I wish we could have worked together longer. We will miss you, #39.”
Lee County District 3 Commissioner David Mulicka said “I felt sucker-punched today because I had been rooting for Mike all along. I valued him as a friend and I was honored to serve next next to him as a commissioner,” Mulicka said.
Greenwell’s son, Bo, also paid tribute to his father on social media. In a Facebook post, Bo said, “After a long year fighting cancer my dad has passed away. It has been a long year for him through a lot of pain and suffering. Now he can finally rest in peace. Thank you to everyone who has been keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.
“Hero’s get remembered, but Legends never die.
“To the legend Mike Greenwell.”
As a baseball player, Greenwell was the runner-up in the 1988 American League Most Valuable Player vote and was on the 1986 Red Sox team that faced the New York Mets in a thrilling seven-game World Series match which the Mets won. He batted over .300 for his career, a rare feat among hitters, ending his career with a .303 batting average. He was also one of the toughest players to strike out of his era. In six seasons, he ranked among the top 10 in most at-bats per strikeout amongst all major leaguers.
Greenwell was known for having a strong arm as an outfielder, leading the American League in outfielder assists among leftfielders three times.
After his playing career ended, Greenwell returned home to Lee County, where he grew up and enjoyed farming, fishing and hunting.
The Boston Red Sox issued a statement in memory of Greenwell on X. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Red Sox Hall of Famer Mike Greenwell. “The Gator” spent his entire career in a Red Sox uniform and was a beloved fixture of Fenway and Fort Myers. He gave so much to Lee County and Red Sox Nation. We send our love to the Greenwell family.”
A message posted to the Facebook page of Lee County paid tribute to Greenwell. “He was a strong advocate for the people and businesses of Lee County and will be remembered for seeking meaning solutions to the challenges his community faced,” the post stated.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno also shared words of remembrance Thursday afternoon.
“Over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Commissioner Greenwell and deeply admired his professionalism and service to the great residents of this county,” Marceno said, in part. “For those who knew him, Mike was a loyal family man, a dedicated business man, and local leader who was extremely passionate about the well-being of this county.
“Today we honor the life and contributions of Commissioner Greenwell, and are mourning this profound loss alongside his family, friends, and all of those who loved him.”
State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka shared her condolences on “X,” stating, “Today we lost a Lee County legend, Commissioner Mike Greenwell. David and I are heartbroken over the passing of our friend and colleague. Please join us in praying for the Greenwell family during this time of mourning. Rest in Peace, Mike.”
Greenwell announced that he had been diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in August. Greenwell died in Boston, where he was being treated. He was surrounded by family at the time of his death.