Obituaries
'Officer Friendly' stricken on golf course, dies
Chuck Stearns, 67, a former Holmes Beach police officer for nearly 11 years from 1990 to 2001 and a West Manatee Fire and Rescue District fire commissioner and pension board trustee from 1998 to 2000, died Oct. 10.
He had suffered an aneurysm on the Key Royale Club golf course on Sept. 29.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Jay Romine said Stearns, who was known to many as "Officer Friendly," passed away "surrounded by his loved ones."
A celebration of life is planned for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Romine said all are invited to attend and share memories of Chuck.
The memorial will be followed by a casual gathering at Duffy's Tavern opposite city hall on Marina Drive, where Chuck and wife Lynda are considered "family."
Robert Dean Tribble
Robert Dean Tribble, 40, of Bradenton, died Oct. 1.
Born in Canada, Mr. Tribble moved to Manatee County 12 years ago. He was kitchen manager at Peaches Restaurant and bass guitarist and vocalist for the Almost Famous Band. He was a member of Roser Memorial Community Church, Anna Maria City.
A memorial fund has been established by friend of the family Sharon Villars at Wachovia Bank for the Tribble family.
He is survived by wife Kelley Nudd; daughters Caitlin and Erin; son Dylan; brother Jaime and wife Lisa; sister Mary Grace; and parents Larry and Grace.
Henry Raymond 'Ray' Whitehead
Henry Raymond "Ray" Whitehead, 92, of Bradenton, died Oct. 6.
Born in Laurel, Md., Mr. Whitehead moved to Manatee County 20 years ago. He was a retired electrician. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Moose Lodge and American Legion in Laurel. He was Episcopalian.
Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Griffith-Cline Funeral Home, Island Chapel, 6000 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Boumi Temple, P.O. Box 9695, Baltimore MD 21237.
He is survived by wife of 59 years Isabel; son Edward of Manhattan Beach, Ca., H. Allen of Frenchtown, N.J., and Robert H. of Bradenton; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Robert Earl Wilson
Robert Earl Wilson, 86, of Bradenton and formerly Holmes Beach, died Oct. 3.
Born in Homestead Park, Pa., Mr. Wilson moved to Manatee County in 1948. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Iwo Jima during World War II and was among those honored at the U.S. World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was an active member of St. Joseph Parish, St. Bernard Parish and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, and was a founding member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and School and Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota. He was an active member of the Holy Name Society and served in leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America.
Visitation was Oct. 6 and Memorial Mass Oct. 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, 3100 26th St. W., Bradenton FL 34205. Brown and Sons Funeral Home, 43rd Street Chapel, was in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by wife of 65 years Relda C.; daughters Mary C. of Atlanta and Mary Ann Wilson Burch of Bradenton; sons Patrick C. of Lake Worth, Timothy R. of Denton, Texas, Michael of Little Rock, Ark., and Joseph of Bradenton; two nieces; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. |
