Don Tabone, 2007 Pioneer Award Recipient and managed investment solution industry veteran passed away Saturday, May 24, 2008 at age 66 in Tampa, Florida. We extend our condolences to his wife, Patricia, his son, D. Joseph, his daughter, Christine, and to his extended family.

Don was born on April 27, 1942. Don attended Michigan State University, graduated from Elizabethtown College (PA), and earned his Master’s degree from Lindenwood College , Missouri.

Don’s contributions to the managed solutions developed out of the need that Don identified to diversify the brokerage industry’s reliance on commissions and replace them with fee based products and services. His leadership, vision and persistence helped him launch Merrill Lynch Consults. Don’s enhancements changed the face of the industry and created a dynamic partnership with the external managers and their wholesalers. Don had the foresight to launch the product as a dual contract product and required the investment managers to manage small portfolios as they would large pension accounts. Don never said no, not when given the daunting task of launching Merrill Lynch Consults in a year, not when he received skepticism from others and not when he and his team had to manually calculate performance reports, generate billing from spreadsheets and convince managers to participate in the platform. At the time of his retirement in 1993, Don was a Senior Vice President with Merrill Lynch in New York.

He had his own consulting business in Tampa. While in Tampa, Don served the community, giving his time, energy and expertise as a volunteer and board member of Escot and Speak Up Tampa Bay, as well as other charities. A memorial service celebrating his life was held on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 . In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to LifePath Hospice, 22973 Telcom Pky., Ste. 100, Temple Terrace, FL 33637. The Association of Frontotemporal Dementia, 1616 Walnut St., Philidelphia, PA 19103 or The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc. Words of comfort may be expressed at www.blountcurry.com. Blount & Curry Carrolwood Chapel 813-968-2231