Louis Giordano
Louis Giordano, 83, of Englewood (Charlotte County), Fla., died Wednesday, Dec.10, 2003, at Brighton Gardens in Venice, Fla.
He was born
Aug. 28, 1920, in Boston, Mass., to Pasquale and Lucy (Auriemma) Giordano. He moved from Boston to Englewood in 1978. Mr. Giordano served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and retired in 1975 from the Boston Police Department. He was a past commander of Boston Police Post 1018 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion Post 108 in Chester, N.H. He was a life member of AMVETS in Haverhill, Mass., and American Legion Post 9 in Derry, N.H. He was a member of Boston Police Association, Retired Law Enforcement Officers and Fraternal Order of Police 66, both in Charlotte County, and served as a special deputy with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. He was a member of North End Boat Club in Newburyport, Mass. Two of his favorite pastimes were fishing and boating.
Survivors include his loving companion, Lynne Boles of Englewood; one sister, Helen (James) Tebo of Englewood and Chester; one brother, Bob (Roberta) Giordano of Boxford, Mass; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at Englewood Community Funeral Home, 3070 S. McCall Road, Englewood, with the Rev. Marcel Dube officiating. Inurnment will be at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead, Mass., in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sun Coast Humane Society, 6781 San Casa Drive, Englewood, FL 34224, in memory of Mr. Giordano.
Arrangements are by Englewood Community Funeral Home.
Paul E. Schulz
Paul E. Schulz, 82, of North Port, Fla., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Mr. Schulz was born
June 29, 1921, in Guttenberg, N.J., to Christopher and Anna (Zeman) Schulz. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the China-Burma-India theater of operations with the 121st Signal Repair Company. Mr. Schulz was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic, and retired from Freehold Electric Co. in Freehold, N.J. He moved to North Port in 1985 from Barnegat, N.J. He was a member and organist with the former Elks Lodge. He was a member of Venice/Nokomis BPO Elks Lodge 1854 and American Legion Post 254 in North Port, and was a past master of Caesarea Masonic Lodge 64. In addition, he was past president of the IIOB of North Port, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8203 in North Port, and played the organ for numerous charitable events in the area.
Surviving are his best friend and companion, Carrie L. Marguriet of North Port; several cousins; and two stepdaughters, Linda Gravatt and Donna Robinson.
An Elks 11th Hour Memorial Service will be held at a later date to be announced. Inurnment will be at Venice Memorial Gardens, Venice, Fla.
Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Venice Chapel, has been selected to handle arrangements.
Thomas J. Fee II
Thomas Joseph Fee II, 90, of Venice, Fla., passed away Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at Bon Secours-Venice Nursing Care Center in Venice. Arrangements are being handled by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood Chapel.
Lena F. Pompano
Lena Frances Pompano, 94, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, in Port Charlotte. Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte, is in charge of arrangements.
William J. Cochran
William J. Cochran, 61, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2003.
He was born
Nov. 2, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was the son of William H. and Catherine (Maguire) Cochran. He came to this area in 1998 from Grape Vine, Texas, where he was a traffic manager at Occidental Chemical Co. for 25 years.
Bill will be greatly missed by his wife of 39 years, Barbara; daughter, Jennifer (Charles) Ballard of Coppell, Texas; son, Stephen Cochran of Thornton, Colo.; mother, Catherine Cochran of Wayne, Pa.; sister, Patricia Tartaglio; and grandchildren, Kaitlin and Ashley Cochran, and Anna and Elle Ballard.
Services in celebration of Bill's life will be private. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Bill's honor to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda.
Joan E. Hayes
Joan E. Hayes, 60, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003.
She was born
Feb. 19, 1943, in Punta Gorda. She was a devoted Wal-Mart pharmacy employee for 20 years. Mrs. Hayes was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include her spouse, Danny; her mother, Myrtice Santini of Punta Gorda; daughters, Sandra Tuck of Bessiner City, N.C., and Bonnie Washington of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; one son, Daniel P. (Tracy) Hayes of Fort Ogden, Fla.; one sister, Patricia Staton of Punta Gorda; one brother, Eugene (Lynn) Santini of Punta Gorda; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
There will be a private family service.
Jay Curtis
Jay Curtis, 92, of Warm Mineral Springs, Fla., passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2003.
Jay was born
Oct. 5, 1911, in Hungary and came to the United States as a young student. He served his country in the 101st Airborne during World War II. He founded the Warm Mineral Springs Civic Association and co-founded the Warm Mineral Springs Civilian Safety Patrol.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Eva; and a daughter, Constance.
Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Venice chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Jean B. Williams
Jean B. Williams, 62, of Fort Ogden, Fla., died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003.
She was born
Oct. 4, 1941, in Fort Ogden. She was a lifelong resident of Fort Ogden and was a teacher's aide. She was a retiree and a member of Peace River Chapter No. 30, Order of the Eastern Star and First Baptist Church of Fort Ogden.
She is survived by her husband, Lewis E. Williams of Fort Ogden; daughter, Loretta Jean (John) Petrey of Arcadia, Fla.; son, Curtis E. Williams of Port Charlotte, Fla.; two brothers, Irl (Diane) Boggess of Fort Ogden and Del (Nancy) Boggess of Ocala, Fla.; and two grandchildren, Donovan Edward Petrey and Dawson John Petrey.
Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at the chapel of Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home in Arcadia. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at First Baptist Church of Fort Ogden. Burial will follow at Joshua Creek Cemetery in Arcadia.
Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Gladys I. Howze
Gladys Inez Howze, 80, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, in Punta Gorda.
She was born
Dec. 24, 1922, in Newton, Ga., to William and Cora Edwards. Gladys had been a lifelong resident of Punta Gorda. Many young men and women knew her as "Gran." She was a faithful attendee of Church of God of Prophecy in Punta Gorda. She was a homemaker.
Gladys is survived by her daughters, Sophia (James) Wondergem, Cynthia (Donald) Dees and Sylvia (Edward) Keeler, all of Punta Gorda, and Shelia (Charles) Austin of Cartersville, Ga.; grandchildren, Ronald (Stacey) Dees, Melissa (Trevor) Roberts and Thomas Wondergem and Erik Keeler, all of Punta Gorda, Bryannah Austin, Alexandra Austin and Harrison Austin, all of Cartersville; one great-grandchild, Madison Dees of Punta Gorda; four step-grandchildren, Renee (John) Salo, Sabrina (Johnny) Viola, Darcy (Rob) Purnell and Blake (Cathy) Wondergem; 16 great-step-grandchildren; her brother, B.F. "Benny" (Anna Mae) Edwards of Punta Gorda; numerous nieces and nephews; a brother-in-law, Edsel (Betty) Howze, and sister-in-law, Ellen Edwards. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas H. Howze, on Dec. 14, 1981; her parents; brothers, Samuel J. Edwards, Warren Edwards and Lee Mathis; and sisters, Mary Ann Koon and Cora Mae Lowe.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at Church of God of Prophecy, 662 Cooper St., Punta Gorda, with Brother L.B. Baggett officiating. Burial will follow at Indian Springs Cemetery in Punta Gorda.
Donations may be made in Gladys' name to The Special Needs Program, c/o Church of God of Prophecy, 662 Cooper St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
Robert Ralston
Robert "Bob" Ralston, 87, of Brewster, Mass., a seasonal resident of Punta Gorda, Fla., and owner and founder of Arborway gardens in South Dennis, Cape Cod, Mass., died Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at Cape Cod Hospital.
He was born
Sept. 22, 1916, in Summit, N.J., and grew up in Flushing, N.Y. He graduated from a prep school on Long Island, N.Y. He attended Clemson University for one year before transferring and graduating from New York Agricultural College. He worked for the 1939 New York World's Fair in public relations, along with actor Vincent Price, and had the honor of escorting Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt around the grounds of the fair. He later began working in the Special Services Department in the New York area before being transferred to Hawaii. He witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the South Pacific during World War II.
After the war he resided in Massachusetts and worked for the founders of the first Friendly's Restaurant in Wilbraham, Mass., and also at the Weston Nurseries. He married Phyllis H. (Hall) Ralston on Feb. 18, 1953. He settled in Lincoln, Mass., and founded Arborway Nursery. He was contracted for many of the landscaping projects for the state of Massachusetts Highways in eastern Massachusetts. In 1962, he settled in West Dennis, Mass., where he founded Anchor Building Realty Trust, a home-building company in the Dennis and Yarmouth areas, and built many houses on Cape Cod, in South Yarmouth and the Mayfair area of South Dennis. He worked for one year for the Mid Cape Centers, setting up a garden center department for their stores. In 1976, he founded Arborway Gardens of South Dennis and operated this garden center until 2000.
He was an avid bird watcher and was the Audubon Society's Christmas bird census taker on Long Island, N.Y., every Dec. 27 for 50 years. He wrote articles for several magazines; among them were "Birdwatcher Magazine," "Birds and Blooms" and "American Nurserymen." He also wrote children's stories for publication and was an avid artist, working in acrylics and painting snow and nature scenes. In 1985, he began living in Punta Gorda for the winter months and enjoyed boating, fishing and golf.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Gary of Dennis, Mass., Gregory of Punta Gorda and Glenn of Brewster; a daughter, Penny Hawkey of Ossinning, N.Y.; and 15 grandchildren.
There are no visiting hours. A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at Coutinho-Boisse Funeral Home in Harwich, Mass. Burial will be private.
Donations are suggested in his memory to VNA of Cape Cod, 434 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660.
Arrangements are by Coutinho-Boisse Funeral Home, Harwich.
CHARLOTTE
Joan E. Hayes
Joan E. Hayes, 60, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003.
She was born
Feb. 19, 1943, in Punta Gorda. She was a devoted Wal-Mart pharmacy employee for 20 years. Mrs. Hayes was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include her spouse, Danny; daughters, Sandra Tuck of Bessiner City, N.C., and Bonnie Washington of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; one son, Daniel P. (Tracy) Hayes of Fort Ogden, Fla.; one sister, Patricia Staton of Punta Gorda; one brother, Eugene (Lynn) Santini of Punta Gorda; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
There will be a private family service.
Barbara I. Mackie
Barbara I. Mackie, 77, of Port Charlotte, Fla., and formerly of Norwood, Mass., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003.
She was born
Feb. 9, 1926, in Brandt, S.D., to Marlin A. and Margaret Olsen Aasgaard. She had resided here since 1979. She was a retired nurse, having worked for Norwood Hospital in Norwood and Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda, Fla.
Surviving are her children, Cynthia Martin and Skip (Joan) Mackie, both of Port Charlotte; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford C. Mackie Jr., in 1998.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, at her son's residence, 142 Lambert St., Port Charlotte.
Cremation arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral and Cremation Services, Port Charlotte chapel.
David E. Curtis
David E. Curtis, 68, of Rotonda West, Fla., passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, at his Charlotte County residence.
Mr. Curtis was born
Dec. 20, 1934, in Genesee County, Mich., to Hughbert and Irene Curtis. He and his wife, Brodina, moved to Rotonda West in 1977 from Center Point, Iowa. David enjoyed outdoor sports, especially hunting, fishing and golf.
Surviving are his loving wife of 30 years, Brodina (Brodersen) Curtis; sons, Tom Haddy and Brett Haddy, both of Center Point; daughter, Denise Haddy of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; grandson, Thomas Haddy, sister, Martha (Bob) Sinnott, brothers, Richard (Rose) Curtis and Phil (Suzie) Curtis, all of Michigan.
All services will be private, and an inurnment will be at a later date in Michigan.
Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood, Fla., has been selected to handle arrangements.
Hazel B. Klein
Hazel B. Klein, 80, of Rotonda West, Fla., died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, Fla.
She was born
July 1, 1923, in Fenton, Mo. She was a resident of Florida for 21 years.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Larry Klein of Rotonda West; three children, Steven Klein of Overland Park, Kan., Gary Klein of Port Charlotte and Sandy Beck of Afton, Minn.; four loving grandchildren; and her brother, Jim Milne of Fenton.
A memorial service will be held in the spring in her hometown of St. Louis, Mo.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army of Port Charlotte, P.O. Box 495126, Port Charlotte, FL 33949-5126.
Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood chapel.
Helen E. Hollingsworth
Helen E. Hollingsworth, 79, of Sarasota, Fla., died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003.
She was born
Dec. 12, 1923, in Danville, Pa., and moved to Sarasota sometime during World War II from Everglades City, Fla. Mrs. Hollingsworth married James Hollingsworth III. They lived most of their adult lives in Sarasota. She was a retired nurse.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane (Greg) Renko of Sumter, S.C.; two sons, James N. (Shiela) Hollingsworth IV of Sarasota and Stephen (Jacqueline) Hollingsworth of Bradenton, Fla.; two sisters, Jean Wallen and Betty Ladnier, both of Thonotosassa, Fla.; one brother, David (Dottie) Miller of Lake Worth, Fla.; and three grandchildren, James Newton Hollingsworth V of Sarasota and Matthew Renko and Kelly Renko, both of Sumter.
Graveside service will be held at noon Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at Joshua Creek Cemetery in Arcadia, Fla.
Memorial donations may be made to Youth for Christ, 2800 Aston Road, Sarasota, FL 34231; or the Salvation Army Christmas Fund, 1400 Tenth St., Sarasota, FL 34230.
Arrangements are by Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Alta B. Cummings
Alta B. "Bess" Cummings, 60, of Englewood, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003. Arrangements are by Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota, Fla.
Vernon L. Mahan
Vernon L. Mahan, 77, of Englewood, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at his Sarasota County residence. Arrangements are by Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Englewood chapel.
Martha S. Marble
Martha S. Marble, 95, of Englewood, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003. Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Colonial chapel, Sarasota, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Vinka Matic
Vinka Matic, 80, of North Port, Fla., died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003. Arrangements are by Farley Funeral Home, North Port chapel.
Helen M. Martin
Helen Mae (Deuring) Martin, 71, of Broadview Heights, Ohio, and formerly of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at home in Broadview Heights.
She was born
Dec. 30, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of William and Minnie (Kleine) Deuring. In 1950 she graduated from James Ford Rhodes High School in Cleveland and attended Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. Helen worked for ALCOA in Cleveland for many years before moving to Port Charlotte in the 1970s. She was an avid golfer, a lover of music, and a faithful member of Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Port Charlotte and Richfield United Church of Christ in Richfield, Ohio. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles E. Martin, a loving stepmother and a loving aunt.
She is survived by her stepson, Louie "Bob" Meecham; and her niece and nephews, Lisa, Ray, Jim and William. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Martin; her stepson, Chuck Martin; her parents, William and Minnie (Kleine) Deuring; and brothers, William Deuring and Arthur Deuring.
A memorial service will be at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 24515 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte. Inurnment will take place Monday, Dec. 15, at Crown Hill Cemetery in Twinsburg, Ohio.
Busch Family Funeral chapel and Busch Crematory in Parma, is serving the family.
