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Carl P. Ficera
Carl P. Ficera, 91, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003, in his home.
Carl was born May 24, 1911 in Stevenson, Minn., to Frank and Ralphelina Ficera. He moved to Port Charlotte in 1980 from Stanford, Conn.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 64 years, Josephine Ficera; his two children, Carla Thompson of Darien, Conn., and Sheila (Joseph) Toto of Port Charlotte; four grandchildren, Wendy Carolluzzi, Lori Swanson, Richard Thompson and Craig Thompson; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home in Punta Gorda, Fla. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Entombment will be at Charlotte Memorial Gardens.
Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home in Punta Gorda is in charge of arrangements.
James E. Grohman
James E. Grohman, 65, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital, Port Charlotte.
He was born Feb. 15, 1937, in Atlantic City, N.J., and came to this area a year ago from Egg Harbor Township, N.J. Mr. Grohman was a K-9 police officer for Atlantic City, N.J. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a member of San Antonio Catholic Church, Port Charlotte.
Survivors include his wife, June I. Grohman of Port Charlotte; sons, Steven Grohman and Kevin Grohman both of Ventnor, N.J.; stepdaughter, Marie (Nick) Lonzi of Port Charlotte; stepsons Samuel (Karen) Palmisano of Egg Harbor City, N.J., and John (Doreen) Palmisano of Egg Harbor Township; three stepgrandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Grohman was preceded in death by his brother, John Grohman, who died in Vietnam serving as a gunnery sergeant in the USMC.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte, with funeral services to follow at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla.
Arrangements are by Paul Schelm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Leona C. Natke
Leona C. Natke, 84, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2003.
She was the daughter of Walter F. and Mary Ann Roberts, born July 29, 1918, in Detroit, Mich. She came to the Port Charlotte area in 1979 from Royal Oak, Mich. Leona was a homemaker who enjoyed taking care of her family and was of the Catholic faith.
Leona will be greatly missed by her sons, Otto (Shirley) Natke of Ortonville, Mich., David (Judith) Natke of Port Charlotte, Gregory (Mary) Natke of Deckerville, Mich., Philip (Debbie) Natke of Troy, Mich., Paul (Tracy) Natke of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., and Dennis (Lorelei) Natke of North Branch, Mich.; a sister, Gertrude Agius of Kalamazoo, Mich.; several nieces and nephews; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Otto William Natke, preceded her in death.
Services for Leona will be held at a later date; burial will take place in Michigan.
Memorial donations in honor of Leona may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
Matteo G. Calcara
Matteo G. Calcara, 75, of North Port, Fla., died Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003.
He was born Jan. 1, 1928, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He moved to this area in 1980 from New Fairfield, Conn. He worked for National Can in Connecticut as a shipping foreman for 13 years. He worked for Schraders and Scovil Inc. as a shipping foreman in Brooklyn for 19 years. He worked at Glen Allen Elementary School in North Port as a maintenance engineer. He was a member of San Pedro Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Lena Calcara of North Port; a daughter, Kathleen Sauro of Bradenton, Fla.; two sons, Michael Calcara of Nokomis, Fla., and Matthew Calcara of North Port; seven grandchildren, Angela Sauro of Sarasota, Fla., Karen Sauro of Loudenville, N.Y., Michael Calcara of Mastic, N.Y., Danielle Calcara of Manorville, N.Y., Brendon Calcara of Mastic, Peter Calcara of Manorville, and Nicole Calcara of North Port; and two sisters, Angelina Ingrassia of Lakeland, Fla., and Anna Turtone of Ridge, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his son, Peter Calcara.
Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at Farley Funeral Home, North Port Chapel. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at San Pedro Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Gulf Pines Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, FL 33742; or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.
Farley Funeral Home, North Port Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
Cleo Smith
Born Cleo Patra Solomon on Oct. 15, 1922, to the late Capt. Solomon and Sarah Ware Solomon in Madison, Fla., Cleo inherited her mansion, robe and crown at 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003.
Her legacy is one of love, tenderness, kindness, and strength. "Mama Cleo," as she was affectionately known, was a mother and friend to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and anyone else in need. She can never be forgotten for her memory and evidence of her existence echoes through the lives of her progeny. She leaves behind an overwhelming number of family, friends and loved ones who will miss her dearly. Cleo was the middle child of 15 children, 11 of whom preceded her in death, sisters, Mamie, Mattie, Dasia, Queen Ester, Marie, Naomi and Joyce; and brothers, Capt., Lester, Arnell and Ellis.
Precious memories will reside in the hearts of her beloved husband, Albert "Man" Smith; 14 children, Eddie and Sara Lee Vergina, both of Fort Myers, Fla., James Fields Jr. of Kent Island, Md., Frankye (Johnny) Salph of Clearwater, Fla., Ollie David of Orlando, Fla., Deborah Chambers of Clearwater, Linda (Calvin) Bell of Madison, Cleo Richardson of Daytona Beach, Fla., Marvin Davis of Fort Myers, David (JoAnn) Solomon of Daytona Beach, Sheila Smith and Albert "Charlie" Smith, both of Arcadia, Fla., and Dionna Smith of Gainesville, Fla.; 26 grandchildren, Robbyetta Davis, Brenda Lanier Brown, Veronica Davis (Richard) Polk, Clarissa Epps, Fayondria Davis, Katina Davis, Tamika Fields, Jamie Fields, Lucinda Kelly, Tshacha Davis, Michelle Clifton, Dr. Dziedzic (Ayana) Washington, Angela Clifton, Jacquelyn Clifton, Mia Smith, Ned Clemons, Joshua Bell, Robert Smith, Sean Smith, Lakisa Smith, Keora Smith, Veora Smith, Sarah Smith, Michael Campbell, Felicia Campbell, Camelia McWhorter and Jerlin Fields; 28 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Joe Solomon of Madison, Edgar (Emily) Hickson of New Castle, Del., and Eugene (Verlene) Hickson Sr. of Arcadia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other beloved ones. Cleo's loving creation will live forever within the many lives she touched, for her love, patience, kindness and guidance will forever sustain them.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, at Hickson Funeral Home, Arcadia. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at the Church of Christ, MLK Street, Arcadia. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Arcadia.
Hickson Funeral Home, Arcadia, is in charge of arrangements.
Marjorie Canfield
Marjorie Simmons Canfield, 82, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Jan. 26, 2003.
She was born in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of the late Abel and Lucille Simmons. Marjorie was a former resident of Long Island, N.Y., Warwick, R.I., and St. Croix of the Virgin Islands. She came to this area in 1986 along with her husband, Lavergne "Bud" Canfield. Marjorie was a graduate of Carlton College and earned her master's degree from Georgetown University. She worked as an economist for the government during World War II, before deciding to be a homemaker and raise her two children. She enjoyed golf activities and belonged to several golf clubs, the last being St. Andrews South Golf Club in Punta Gorda.
Marjorie will be greatly missed by her husband, Lavergne "Bud" Canfield; sons, Richard Gillette of San Francisco, Calif., and Michael (Brenda) Canfield of Jupiter, Fla.; sister, Nancy (William) Steinhour of Bradenton, Fla.; grandchildren, Jasara Gillette, Holly Martin and Morgan Canfield; and two great-grandchildren.
At her request, services will be private. To express condolences to the family, visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
Memorial donations may be made in Marjorie's honor to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Anna E. Casciotta
Anna E. Casciotta, 92, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Jan. 25, 2003, at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda.
Anna was born July 10, 1910, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to August and Frances Murken Warren. She was an avid bingo player and moved to the Punta Gorda area in 2000.
Anna will be greatly missed by her daughter, Frances (Louis) Flynn of Spring Hill, Fla.; son, John (Carole) Casciotta of Punta Gorda; sister, Frances Lanagin of East Islip, N.Y.; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, John Casciotta.
A gathering for friends will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 28, at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda. Additional services and burial will be held in Kings Park, N.Y. To express condolences to the family, visit www.LTaylorfuneral.com and sign the guest book.
The family requests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, 22107 Elmira Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Arrangements are by Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services.
Barbara J. Lercara
Barbara J. Lercara, 61, of Port Charlotte, Fla., passed away Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003.
Formerly of Jeffersonville, Ind., she had resided here for the past 20 years. Mrs. Lercara was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 110, Port Charlotte; BPOE 2153 and the 40/8 LeFemme. She had been the bar manager at American Legion Post 110 and Port Charlotte BPOE 2153.
Surviving are her husband of nine years, Joseph; children, Donald Mudd of Port Charlotte, Steve Mudd of Rome, Ga., Sandra Forsythe of Florence, Ala., and Lisa Farmer of Elletsville, Ind.; her father, Robert Daugherty; a sister, Rebecca Zinser of Jeffersonville, Ind.; a brother, Gil Daugherty of Rhinelander, Wis.; and seven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 28, at the Port Charlotte chapel of Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, with an American Legion service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Jan. 29, at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements are by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Port Charlotte.
Raymond A. Schankin
Raymond A. Schankin passed away Jan. 23, 2003, in Punta Gorda, Fla., after a long battle with lung disease.
Ray was a veteran of the Korean War and a member of American Legion Post 110 and Fraternal Order of Eagles 3296 both in Port Charlotte.
Ray was the dearest husband of Joyce; father of Sandra Reynolds of Fenton, Mich., Mark of New Baltimore, Mich., Roy of Charlotte Harbor, Fla., and Cheryl of Whitefish, Mont.; loving grandpa of Graham Beardsley, Christopher Bachman, Melannie Bachman, Tiffany Reynolds, Bailey Reynolds, Kyle and Spencer Jugan; beloved brother of Lois Saccoman of Arizona and the last Clarence Schankin and Nancy Coder.
Memorial Services will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 28, 2003, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 2300 Luther Road, Deep Creek.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.
William L. Sturtevant
William L. Sturtevant, 81, of Port Charlotte, Fla., died Jan. 22, 2003, at Bon Secours-St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte.
Born June 27, 1921, to Opal and Clark Sturtevant in Pilot Rock, Ore., Bill moved to Port Charlotte in 1960 after seeing a Mackle Brothers model home in Grand Central Station in New York City, N.Y.
He retired from the Coast Guard in 1960 after 20 years of service. Bill spent eight years in the U.S. Navy and saw action in World War II and Korea. Bill re-enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1948 and retired at the rank of senior chief engineman. After moving to Port Charlotte, Bill worked for the U.S. government for 10 years. He worked for General Development Corp. for 16 years before he fully retired.
Survivors include his son, William B. (Elaine) Sturtevant; daughters-in-law, Margaret and Rita; grandsons, Ben and Berkley; and granddaughters, Amy, Shaun, Angela and Jennifer. He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Berkley; and a sister, Bonnie; his wife of 55 years, Jeanne; and two sons, Richard and Bruce.
Internment will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 29, at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens, Punta Gorda. Arrangements by Kays-Ponger/Royal Palm Funeral Home, Punta Gorda.
George Erwin
George Erwin, 74, of Englewood, Fla., died Jan. 25, 2003, at Englewood Community Hospital.
Born Aug. 1, 1928, in Gaffney, S.C., to George and Artey (Onsby) Erwin, he had been a resident of Englewood since 1989, coming from Westmont, Ill. Mr. Erwin was a 22-year member of a union in Westmont in the construction trade and retired in 1988. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran, a member of Mobile Gardens Association and a Baptist.
He was predeceased by his wife, Betty, in 1998. Survivors include his two daughters, Brenda K. Gluschenko and Dianna E. Onley, both of Englewood; a sister, Virginia Boles of Fountain, S.C.; seven grandchildren, Natalie, George, Mckayla, Tonia, Mike, Andrea and Sierra; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Haley.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Englewood Community Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Clark Freeman Jr.
Clark Freeman Jr., 81, of Punta Gorda, Fla., died Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005.
He was born Nov. 12, 1923, in Baltimore, Md.
Mr. Freeman graduated as a cadet commander from the Maine Maritime Academy, class of 1945, the Milton Academy, class of 1943, and Harvard University, class of 1950, and he also served in the U.S. Navy. He held positions of president and vice president of a number of leading companies including Allendale Mutual Ins. Co., New Providence Corp., Appalachian Ins Corp., Building Owners and Managers Assoc., and Affiliated FM Ins. Co., which is now FM Global. In addition, he was a governing member at large of the Greater Provident Business Council in Providence, R.I.; vice president of the Turks Head Corp., a past executive director of the Industrial Foundation of Rhode Island, a board member and director of the Providence Athenaeum, a past commodore and life member of the Bristol Yacht Club and a member of the Twin Isles Yacht Club of Punta Gorda. Mr. Freeman served on many boards including the Downtown Business Council of Providence, Children's Friends and Service, East Shore District Nursing Association, Citizens Savings Bank, and the Peoples Savings Bank.
He is survived by his wife, Anne; a son, Clark Freeman III of Providence; a daughter, Jennifer F. Adams of Bradenton, Fla.; a sister, Caroline F. Martin of Center Sandwich, N.H.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at Congregational United Church of Christ, 1201 Aqui Esta, Punta Gorda. Additional services and inurnment will be at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.
Memorial donations may be made to Congregational United Church of Christ, 1201 Aqui Esta, Punta Gorda, FL 33950; and Herreshoff Marine Museum, 1 Burnside Road, Bristol, RI 02809.
Arrangements are by ICS Cremation Society, Harbour Heights, Fla.
Walter C. Newton
The Newton family mourns the passing of a devoted husband and nurturing father. His passing leaves a void not only in his family but also in the hearts of others who knew him. His wife and children treasure his unending love, support and rich legacy of humor as well as the abundant memories that he has willed to us all.
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Walter C. "Newt" Newton, 74, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2005.
Newt was born Oct. 25, 1930, in Rockville Centre, N.Y., to Harold and Selma Newton.
For more than 20 years he served his country honorably as an officer, fighter pilot and squadron commander in the U.S. Air Force. His service began in 1951 and concluded in 1975 with his retirement at Hancock Air Force Base in Syracuse, N.Y. Additional duty stations included service in Vietnam, Japan, Korea and many locations throughout the United States. He received numerous awards for meritorious service. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he entered the private sector as a real estate broker and investor and became active in local politics in his community of Cicero, N.Y. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a past commodore of the Isles Yacht Club of Punta Gorda and had also served in the PGI Civic Association, Military Officers of America Association (MOAA), Veterans Museum, Suncoast Chapter of SPEBSQSA, Republican Club and NAIC. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, boating and fishing.
He is survived by his loving wife of more than 51 years, Lucy, and their children, Robert, Sharon and Harold (Theresa) Newton; brother, Anthony H. (Joy) Newton; and eight grandchildren, Amanda, Brittney, Hunter, Trevor, Dolan, Amy, Bobby and Sarah. Newt was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Bonnie Newton.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2005, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1303 Forrest Nelson Blvd., Port Charlotte. Burial with full military honors provided by MacDill Honor Guard will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Manasota Memorial Park in Bradenton, Fla.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society: on the Web at: www.cancer.org, by phone: 1-800-ACS-2345, by mail: American Cancer Society, Attn.: Web, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454.
Arrangements are by Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Punta Gorda.
