The former mayor of Sanford and CEO of the Orlando Sanford International Airport, Larry Dale, has died at the age of 77.

Dale was a "larger-than-life" figure who oversaw the rapid expansion of the Sanford airport, major renovations, new gates and passenger bridges, and the introduction of Allegiant Airlines to the Sanford market.

During his time as mayor, Dale fought for funding for the initial phase of the RiverWalk and created a partnership with Seminole County Public Schools to fund construction of a new aquatics center at Seminole High School, now named after him.

"Some people would describe him as a bull in a China shop," said current Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff.

"He got a lot of things done," Woodruff said. "He had an impact on our tax base, on changing how development worked. He

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