Joseph Henry Shugart, 87, died Dec. 17, 2012, at the VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach.
He was born in Erie, Pa., and lived in Vero Beach since 1992, coming from his birthplace.
He played minor league baseball in Hornell, N.Y.
He served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 during World War II aboard the USS Indiana (BB-58).
He received the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was a graduate of Gannon University.
He was a lifetime member, 20-year board member and past president of the Erie Maennerchor Club; past board member of the Erie Crippled Children’s Society; a member of the American Legion Post 39 in Vero Beach; and a volunteer for the Visiting Nurses Association.
Survivors include his son, Joseph C. Shugart, of New York City; daughter, Sally Shugart Smith, of Vero Beach; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Nancy B. Shugart; and sister, Jeanne Cooper.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans Victory Center, 6200 20th St., Suite 160, Vero Beach, FL 32966 or VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 20 at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
A Mass of Christian burial will follow at noon at St. Helen Catholic Church.
Burial will be in South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, with full military honors.
A guestbook is available at www.seawindsfh.com.
