Richard Emmett Dillon, 83, Vero Beach
Richard Emmett Dillon, a pioneering advertising executive and entrepreneur, died in his home in Vero Beach, on Aug. 17, 2017, surrounded by family and friends. He was 83 and had for several years battled cancer.
After working at General Foods and Johnson & Johnson, where he was President of their Mexico division, Mr. Dillon created one of the first advertising agencies focused on marketing to Hispanics in the United States. Based in Newport Beach, Calif,, Mendoza, Dillon & Asociados grew rapidly and was eventually acquired by the WPP Group.
Mr. Dillon was born on Sept. 14, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY, the youngest child of Irene and John C. Dillon. After graduating from Canterbury School in New Milford Connecticut and then Princeton University, Mr. Dillon displayed his characteristic rebellious streak and left the family’s printing business to strike out on his own as a marketing executive.
After the acquisition of his company by WPP, Mr. Dillon and his wife Phyllis divided their time between New York City, Vero Beach, and Steamboat Springs, Colo.
An avid golfer, fly-fisher, skier, traveler, bridge aficionado and history enthusiast, Mr. Dillon displayed a robust physical and intellectual curiosity throughout his days. Despite proclamations of his personal philosophy that “life is war, and every day’s a battle,”
Mr. Dillon will be remembered by friends and family as one of the most personable and joy-filled of people. Indeed, years ago one of his young grandsons, hearing his boisterous laugh, dubbed him “Ha-Ha”, which is what his grandchildren called him for the rest of his life. His zest for living extended to the iconic pink polo shirt he wore on the links and his frequent bursts into song, at the slightest suggestion, in his lilting Irish tenor.
Mr. Dillon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis Dillon, his six children Richard, Patricia, Michael, Stephen, Scott, and William, and his 8 grandchildren.
There will be a viewing from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, at the Strunk Funeral Home at 916 17th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960, followed by an Irish wake at 6:30 p.m. the Riomar Beach Club at 2426 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church at 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963, at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial gift be made to the VNA & Hospice Foundation(http://www.vnatc.com/foundation/foundation-specialty-services/memorial-gifts/), and that a rousing chorus of “Danny Boy” be sung in honor of his remarkable, joyful life.
Shirley Durman, Vero Beach
TIME TO BE BORN: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under The heaven.”- Ecc 3:1
Shirley Durman was born on Dec. 26, 1956, in Vero Beach, to Louie and Fannie Allen and had 5 siblings.
A TIME TO LIVE: “A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant.” -Ecc 3:2
Shirley graduated from Vero Beach Senior High School in 1973 and attended junior college in Vero Beach. She moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1980 and earned a certificate in accounting. Shirley married Maurice Durman on July 14, 1984, and they celebrated 33 years of marriage. Together, they adopted her nieces Natosha and Lashell. Shirley went on to pursue a banking career and worked at notable banks.
A TIME TO SERVE: “A time to rend, and a time to sow.” -Ecc 3:7
Shirley was an active member and volunteer at New Antioch Church as Treasurer, Sunday school teacher and President of Bible study. Shirley enjoyed helping in ministry work, was an excellent cook and an enthusiastic gardener. She was kind, loved to take care of others and cherished her family. She was sweet natured, strong in spirit and loved to Praise the Lord. Shirley always had a word of encouragement to bring laughter, wisdom and love.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Maurice; and their two children Natosha C. Parker (Algie) and Lashell R. Harris (William); grandchild, William Harris Jr, and five siblings, Louie Allen Jr (Karen), James Allen (Emma), Florence Coke, Rose Jefferson (Odell), and Ruth Jefferson (Andrew).
Her parents, Louie and Fannie Allen, preceded her in death.
Homegoing celebration for the late Mrs. Shirley Durman, will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church- Rev. Andrew Jefferson, Pastor. A public visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 18, from 5:30 p.m. until 7p.m. at St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church.
Omerine LeBlanc (Lavoie), 79, Vero Beach
Omerine LeBlanc (Lavoie), 79, died peacefully at the Hospice House on Aug. 17, 2017. She was born Grand Isle, Maine on Aug. 13, 1938. She and her husband have lived in Vero Beach for the last 23 years.
She was married to Marcel LeBlanc celebrating 60 years of marriage on July 18, 2017. She raised her family in Connecticut until they retired to Vero Beach.
She is survived by her husband Marcel LeBlanc, sons, Michael LeBlanc and his wife, Kimberly, of South Windsor, Ct., Roger LeBlanc and his wife, Myla, of East Aurora, NY; her daughter, Carol LeBlanc, from Killingworth, Ct.; and her seven grandchildren, Amber Belsito and her husband, Sam Belsito, of Coventry Ct., Matthew and Benjamin LeBlanc, of South Windsor, Ct., Jenna, Jacob, James and Jillian LeBlanc, all of East Aurora; and her two great-granddaughters, Mia and Anna Belsito, of Coventry, Ct. She is also survived by her three brothers and one sister, Normand Lavoie and his wife, Marie, of Meriden, Ct., Alphee Lavoie and wife, Carol, of West Hartford, Ct., Reginald Lavoie and his wife, Fay, of Windsor, Ct., and sister, Viola Cote, of East Swanzey, NH.
Memorial service will be at St. Helen Catholic Church, Vero Beach, Saturday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m.
In lieu flowers donations, can be made in her name to VNA Hospice, Vero Beach Fl.
Dennis Burrill Mason, 84, Vero Beach
Dennis Burrill Mason, 84, passed away Aug. 15, 2017, at his home in Vero Beach.
He was born Oct. 19, 1932, in Danforth, Maine, to Burrill Mason and Hazel (Chamberlin) Mason.
He was a US Navy veteran of the Korean War. He served as Commander for VFW Post 3918.
He was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, American Legion, and Sebastian Masonic Lodge 232.
Dennis retired as Superintendent of Hobart Brothers where he worked for 32 years.
He is survived by his children, Denise Knights, Dennada (Mason) Voorhees, Robert Mason, Robin (Mason) Fulcher, Svea Mason; brothers, Joseph Rosolino and James Rosolino.
