Strunk Funeral Home & Crematory

William Dennis McHugh, Director Emeritus of Eastman Dental Center and Professor Emeritus at the University of Rochester, died on October 6, 2022 in Vero Beach, FL. Born in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England on May 8, 1929, he grew up in Scotland and graduated from St. Andrew's University Dental School in 1950. After two years' service as a Dental Officer in the Royal Air Force, he embarked on a career combining clinical practice, teaching and research. He was latterly Professor of Dental Health in the Universities of St. Andrews and Dundee. In 1970, he and his family moved to Rochester, NY where he became Director of Eastman Dental Center and Professor and Associate Dean for Dental Affairs at...

Joseph Augustus Cook II, 76, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away on September 11th, 2022. Joe was born on November 7th, 1945, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He was one of five children of the late Ruth Elizabeth Cook and Joseph Augustus Cook. He is preceded in death by his brother William Cook, sisters Margaret Buttons and Ruth Elizabeth St. Charles. Joe is survived by his beloved wife Joyce McNeal Cook; his children, Joseph Augustus Cook III (Katy) of Nashville, daughters Anne Cook Allen (Jody) of Bowling Green, Elizabeth Cook Vaughan (Lee) of Nashville; stepchildren, Naomi Fecca (Mike), Dana Miller (Michael), Jack Crites (Shannon); sister Judy Batts (Tom); grandchildren, McLain Bender, Emmie...

Edward Richard Ochylski Jr, 98, of Vero Beach Florida passed away peacefully at his home, with family at his side, on September 9th, 2022. He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor, his son Edward III, and his grandsons Andrew and Daniel Stark. Edward is survived by his children: Mary Catherine Ochylski, Gabrielle Klein, Daniel Ochylski (Peggy), Juliana Summers (Bill, whom Edward considered his best friend), Jessica Stark (Tim), Kelly Ogborn (Mike). He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, his sister Diana Hennigan and his brother Leonard Ochylski (Celeste). The son of Polish immigrants, Edward grew up in an unheated barn outside of Detroit, Michigan with an outhouse...

David Burton Grimes passed away on September 1, 2022, in Vero Beach, FL. He was 90 years old. David was born in Cambridge, MA on October 8, 1931, to Evelyn (Griffin) Grimes and Elliot Woodbury Grimes. David had an older brother, Robert, who died in 2019 at the age of 93. David attended Rockport schools. He worked for many years as an insurance agent with his father at the Elliot Grimes Insurance Agency in Rockport. Following his father's retirement, David took over the Agency, retiring himself in the mid 1980's. David married Gloria Leger in 1981 and lived locally for several years until her passing in 1993. David moved to Vero Beach, FL in 1996. In 1997, David married Mildred...

The 77 year life of Charles Michael Birnie Davidson - "Mike" - ended August 21, 2022 in Vero Beach, Florida. Mike was born on November 2, 1944 to Charles Davidson and Grace Gibson in Colombo, Ceylon. He earned degrees from the University of Cambridge and London Business School before building a career as a business management consultant, author, and entrepreneur. He was the first graduate of a business school outside the United States to be hired by Boston Consulting Group. After marrying in 1969, Mike's life purpose became caring for his family, a passion he pursued with greater zeal than any other. That pursuit took him to Germany, South Africa, and Belgium before, in 1979, the...

Joseph Paul Burke, Sr, age 94, died at home on August 9, 2022. The Blessed Lord willing, he has rejoined his wife Sally, who passed away in 2006. Also predeceasing Joe were his daughter, MaryEllen Burke, and son, Michael Burke. Joe was born in Paterson, N.J., the son of Joseph F. Burke and Marguerite Phalon Burke. After graduation from high school, Joe enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On his release at the end of World War II, he remained in the Navy Reserves and was called back to active duty during the Korean War, serving aboard the USS John Hood (DD655). Later, he was commissioned as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve and performed a number of assignments during the Cold War and...

John Alan Blaga beloved husband of Patricia for 60 years, was the son of George S. and June J. Blaga, died on August 1, 2022. John was born February 26, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, and was the second of four children, the oldest child being Sandra Helen Blaga (Deremo). His siblings also include Mary Jo Blaga (Strietelmeier) and Jeffrey James Blaga. He is survived by Mary Jo and Jeffrey, and eight nieces and nephews. John and his wife left Cincinnati in 1997 and retired to Sebastian, Florida. It is requested that memorials be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 1405 Louisiana Ave, Box 781689, Sebastian, FL 32978. Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory,...

Gloria Duchin passed away peacefully, Sunday morning July 31, at her home in Vero Beach, Florida surrounded by her loving family. Born in Yonkers, New York, on August 12, she was the daughter of Dominic and Mary ( Severino) DeStefano. A fiercely intelligent, accomplished and beautiful woman, Gloria's drive and ambition unfolded initially in New York City at Lord & Taylor 5 th Avenue where she worked and rose in the ranks from an office clerical to fashion buyer, efficiency expert to merchandizing executive. At the same time, she was hand selected by fashion designer Anne Fogarty to be the face and model of her women's collection at Lord & Taylor. Eventually she became one of the...

Mrs. Bonnie Elizabeth Howell Douglas, 93, of Grant, Florida, passed away, Friday, July 15, 2022. Born February 15, 1929, in Canton, Iowa, she was a daughter of the late Clarence Howell and Mildred Bearinger Howell. Bonnie alongside her husband, Bud, owned & operated Douglas Farms, a dairy farm in Wisconsin before relocating to Florida in 1979; where their entrepreneurship attitudes and abilities found them owning, operating & greatly expanding the River Grove Mobile Home Community in Micco. While officially retiring at age 80, she oversaw activities in the community until her passing. She loved life and loved to entertain, she and her sister who performed Country Western music...

Virginia "Ginny" H. Dent, 95, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022 at the VNA Hospice House. Ginny was born in Washington, DC and moved to Florida in 1975 from the Washington DC area. She was a member of Christ Church in Vero Beach where she was a member of The Daughters of the Holy Cross and sang in the choir. Ginny was a Life Member of Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and the Silver Hill Fire Department Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 39 in Vero Beach. But above all she absolutely treasured her family, enjoyed cooking for family and friends and passionately loved her puppies. Survivors include her...

E. Harry Vadney, CPA, born Oct. 13, 1948, Mr. Vadney took the Lord's hand May 15, 2022. His wife, Cheryl; son, Sean; grandsons, Jacob and Sean and granddaughter, Pearl will miss his loving presence. Contributions to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society would be appreciated. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Sebastian, Florida. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.

Judith "Judy" M. Ware, 74, of Barefoot Bay, FL passed away unexpected on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, FL. She wed Frank Drought on February 10, 2019, in Barefoot Bay, FL. Judy was born in Hartford, CT to the late Malcolm and Alice (Yacovone) McInnis. She grew up in East Hartford, CT. She lived for 25 years in Colchester, CT where she raised her sons and made a home in the community. For several years she designed catalogs for S&S Worldwide before becoming a branch administrator at Edward Jones Investments. Upon retiring to Barefoot Bay, she served on the volunteer auxiliary at Sebastian River Hospital. Throughout her life, Judy enjoyed...

Ronald P. Pettirossi passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of our Lord on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Promenade Senior Living in Sebastian. He was 78 and his spiritual strength and fierce determination helped him through the death of his beloved wife of 56 years, Carol, who God chose to bring back to Him September 8, 2020. Ron was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to the late Mauro and Angelina Mazzei Pettirossi, who predeceased him. He leaves behind daughter Joy Ann Poland (Tim) of Foster, RI, son Damon Pettirossi of Vero Beach, FL and his loving grandchildren, Ashley Hendrickson, Angelina Pettirossi and Ariana Pettirossi all of Sugar Hill and Jayce Poland of Foster. He...

James W. Patten, 71, of Merrimac, MA and Barefoot Bay, FL, passed away on December 31, 2021, from a glioblastoma. Jim grew up in Merrimac, MA and graduated from Pentucket Regional High School in 1968. He was drafted and enlisted in the Army in 1970. He was stationed in Asmara, Ethiopia before enrolling in journalism and public relations school at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. Following a brief stint at Fort Devens, MA, he was assigned to Tori Station in Sobi, Okinawa. During that time, he was editor of the base newspaper and worked on a community relations program. After six years in the Army, Jim retuned to Merrimac and worked at the Haverhill Gazette as a reporter and photographer...

Mr. Frederick Peter Sexton, 80, returned to his heavenly home on December 4, 2021, after a valiant battle with a long illness. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. He was born in Boston, MA and lived in South Dennis coming from Auburn, MA. Fred was an employee of Northeast Foods of New England for 39 years where he worked as a Plant Manager and Executive Vice President of Operations. He attended St. Luke Catholic Church, Micco, Florida. Fred was a member of the Orioles, Fraternal order of the Eagles, Auburn Elks, and Auburn Kiwanis. He was an avid Fan of New England Patriots where he was a season ticket holder...

Captain George H. Lins IV passed away peacefully September 6, 2021 surrounded by loving and devoted family and friends at William Childs Hospice House, Palm Bay, FL. He was born in Newark, NJ, raised in Ocean Beach Unit III, NJ and settled in Sebastian, FL. He is predeceased by his parents George and Patricia Lins, nee Conroy. He is survived by his sisters Nancy Townsend, Karen and husband Gary Hahn, Susan and husband Glenn Garrett along with beloved nieces and nephews. Georgie was blessed to have many friends who became his extended family during the years he resided in Florida. Captain George was a former operator of a Sport Fishing pleasure boat and later Captain for local Airboat...

Mr. Leonard "Lenny" James Despensa, 78, died September 3, 2021 at Cleveland Clinic - Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida. He was born December 24, 1942 in New York, New York and lived in Sebastian, Florida since 2018, after moving there from Methuen, MA. Leonard was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served as an M.P. during the conflict in the Congo in the sixties. He was the owner for many years of Aladdin's Lamp, lamp and gift stores in Lawrence and Haverhill, MA and was a member of the American Legion, Methuen post 122. Survivors include wife Phyllis A. Despensa of Sebastian, FL, and children Aaron Russo of Somersworth, NH, Andrew Russo of Exeter, NH, Mark Despensa of...

Mr. William F. Breinlinger, 85, of Barefoot Bay, Florida passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021 at his home. He retired from Grumman Aerospace after 37 years of service. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Rose Marie Breinlinger of Barefoot Bay; daughter, Christine Jannen of Sebastian; sons, William Breinlinger and his wife Adele of Melbourne, Robert Breinlinger and his wife Lynn of Brookhaven, New York, John Breinlinger and his wife Doreen of Tucson, Arizona, James Breinlinger and his wife Diane of Hauppauge, New York and Richard Breinlinger and his wife Jennifer of Hartselle, Alabama; sister, Carol Tate and her husband Toby of High Springs; 19 Grandchildren, 23 Great Grandchildren.

Professor Emeritus Frederick Albert Skove, 92, died peacefully in the early hours of July 4, 2021, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach Florida. Fred was preceded in death by his first wife, Christine Simmons in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Wirth Skove, of Indian River Shores, Florida and his three children, Beth Roche of Bokeelia, Florida, Patricia Titus of Naples Florida, and Neal Skove of Pasadena, Maryland, and six grandchildren. Fred Skove was born in Plainfield, NJ on September 19, 1928. He enlisted in the Navy upon his 17th birthday in September 1945. He served in the US Navy as a radar technician until 1949. In 1950 Fred married Christine Simmons of Newburgh, NY....

Mr. Robert S. Martin, 90, passed away March 30, 2021 at Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, FL. He was born in Tuxedo, New York and has been a winter resident of Sebastian for 35 years, returning summers to his home in Sylvia Lake, New York. Bob was a US Air Force veteran. He retired from Schodack Central School District after many years teaching elementary school. Bob was a member of River of Life Church, Barefoot Bay, FL and loved to support his local food bank. Survivors include daughters Michele Baum (Chris) of Newport, Tennessee and Lynda Cooper (Thomas) of Rensselaer, New York, granddaughters Kym Morgan of Morristown, Tennessee, Julie Brown (Sherman) of Newport, Tennessee...

Mr. Anthony B. Arcuri Sr, 78 of Utica, NY and Sebastian, FL passed away on Thursday February 4, 2021 at Sebastian River Medical Center in Sebastian, FL with his loving wife by his side. Tony was born in Utica on May 25, 1942 the son of Bruno and Mary (Cavaretta) Arcuri. He was raised in Utica and was a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School. On September 28, 1963 Anthony married Jacqueline C. Freeman, a devoted union of 57 years. At one time Tony was a carpet and linoleum installer for several businesses in the Central NY area. He also had an amazing talent of guitar playing and was a local entertainer/singer for many years. Later he pursued a career with the New York State Department of...