Norman Gordon Booth, Jr., 64, Vero Beach
Norman Gordon Booth, Jr., 64, died peacefully surrounded by his family in Vero Beach, in the early morning hours of Dec. 19, 2017, after a brief illness. Norm was born in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 22, 1953, to Frances Conway Booth and Norman Gordon Booth, Sr.
Norm had many passions in life and a successful career, fueled by a powerful intellect, an inquisitive mind and a devotion to academic pursuits and his family.
After graduating from Chatham Township High School in New Jersey, he attended the County College of Morris and West Virginia University, where he earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Journalism and Business Administration.
His early career was spent at Digital Equipment Corporation in Merrimack, N.H., as a technical writer and product manager.
During that time, he pursued a Masters in Business Administration from New Hampshire College and became a volunteer firefighter for the Amherst, N.H., volunteer fire department.
In 1995, Norm and his family returned to New Jersey, where he went to work for AT&T and, later, Bell Labs. He continued to focus on his education, completing a Masters in Communications from Fairleigh Dickinson University, later earning his Doctor of Letters from Drew University.
He most recently worked for Coyne Public Relations where he worked on behalf of companies and institutions such as Cornell University, Columbia University, Nikon Instruments, and Siemen’s Healthcare translating cutting edge research and products into ideas and stories for major media outlets and publications in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Motorcycle riding was an activity he pursued throughout his life, taking multiple long distance rides to Nova Scotia, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and Florida.
On his rides he made many friends and often went on local rides with friends and family. He was a founding member of the “Flying-Motorcycle-Club” of Flagler Beach.
He kept extensive journals detailing his motorcycle trips, writing about a 2003 trip to West Virginia, “Drove 500 miles each way to Beckley and another 350-500 miles around West Virginia to Charleston for the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America Rally. Jane’s dad, at 77, still enjoys a good ride, and took us to visit beautiful waterfalls and to Grandview State Park, which is where we were married 25 years ago.”
Norm is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jane Dugger Booth; daughter, Jessica Conway Booth; son, Colin Gordon Booth; sister, Barbara Booth Luperi; and brother, Douglas Denniston Booth.
He will be missed by his cousins, nieces and nephews, coworkers, and many others.
Memorial celebrations will be held in Vero Beach and in New Jersey. Please consider donations to VNA Hospice of Indian River County in lieu of flowers.
Ambrose Benjamin Douglas, 73, Vero Beach
Ambrose Benjamin Douglas, 73, of Vero Beach, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at his home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday Dec. 29, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.
Nicholas John Kurusis, 76, Vero Beach
Nicholas John Kurusis, 76, of Vero Beach, went to be with his heavenly father, Dec. 18, 2017, after a year of many health challenges. Nick was born June 22, 1941, in Chicago, the only child of John Nicholas Kurusis and Mary Catherine Polezoes.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Gloria Ann Kurusis; and five children, Roland J. Kurusis (Sharon), Kathy H. Wharton (Kevin), Kimberly A. Ligon (Ken), Rene D. Russakis (Jody), and Nicolette G. Kurusis; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Nicholas had been a resident of Vero Beach since 1968 where he was a commercial fisherman for 13 years before becoming a fisherman of souls while serving as a pastor at Resurrection Tabernacle Church for 25 years.
Throughout his life Nick was also a successful entrepreneur owning several businesses, including: Daystar Contemporary Furniture (14 years), G & N’s Tree of Life Assisted Living and Gloria’s Health Hut (still active).
Nick was a large man who had an even bigger heart; to know him was to instantly become a friend. He always felt his greatest accomplishments in life were his ministry, the love of his large family and especially the 58 years of wedded bliss to his wife Gloria.
Visitation will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. Funeral services will begin at 4 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.
Patricia Eppert Polk, 76, Vero Beach
Patricia Eppert Polk, 76, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Dec. 20, 2017. She was born Oct. 19, 1941, to Myrtle and Jack Alvin Eppert.
She leaves behind her husband, William D. Polk, of 54 years; mother, Myrtle Eppert, of Orange Park, Fla.; three children, William Patrick (Betty) Polk, of Dickinson, Texas, James Alvin Polk, of Vero Beach, and Deborah (Anthony) Polk Iacono, of Mt. Arlington, N.J.; sister, Barbara (Raymond) Moore, of Peachtree City, Ga.; and seven grandchildren, Kasey and Kevin Polk, Delaney Polk, and Giovanni, Mary, Matteo, and Jacob Iacono.
In addition, she is survived by her extended family, brothers and sisters-in-law, Dillon and Geneva Polk, Robert and Jane McLendon; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her father, Jack Alvin Eppert; and her brother, Jack Alvin Eppert, Jr.
Patsy, a member of the First Church of God in Vero Beach, was a devout Christian and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
She and her husband owned the Uniform Shop for more than two decades. Her cheerful laughter and kindness will be remembered fondly by those who knew her.
A visitation will be held 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. followed by an 11:30 a.m. funeral service at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017.
Burial will immediately follow at Crestlawn Cemetery.
First Sgt. Ernest Velez, 55, Vero Beach
First Sgt. Ernest Velez, 55, of Vero Beach, died unexpectedly Dec. 18, 2017. Ernest was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and lived in Vero Beach for two years, coming from Middletown, N.Y.
Ernest was a veteran of the United States Army. He entered the US Army, April 1, 1985, at Fort Benning, Ga. On July 1, 2007, he was promoted to First Sergeant after serving duty positions in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, New York, N.Y., Bronx, N.Y., and Lodi, N.J.
On Oct. 10, 2008, he volunteered to serve overseas in Afghanistan where he served as a Combat Advisor/Embedded Tactical Trainer in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom,” Khost Afghanistan. In February 2009, he was transferred to D Co 1/389th Regiment, Utica, N.Y., to be their First Sergeant.
While serving in the US Army First Sergeant Velez received several awards and decorations which included the following: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with Bronze Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Service Volunteer Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with “M” device and Silver Hour Glass), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with number 3), Overseas Service Ribbon (with number 2), Nato Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Jungle Expect Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge and many other medals, ribbons and awards.
He retired from the US Army in 2013.
While serving in the US Army National Guard, Ernest graduated from the New York City Police Academy and joined the New York City Police Department in 1991. In 1998, he was promoted to the rank of Detective. During his service with NYPD he was awarded 3 Integrity Awards, 3 Excellent Police Duty Awards and 4 Meritorious Police Duty Awards. He also received a letter of Commendation from Governor Pataki for “Demonstrating Unrelenting Dedication” during the World Trade Center Attack on Sept. 11, 2001. He retired from the New York City Police Department in 2010.
Survivors include wife, Grisel Velez, of Vero Beach; daughters, Ana Maria Velez, of Bronx, and Stepfanie Figueroa, of Middletown, son, Jose Ernesto Velez, of Bronx; granddaughter, Jesenia Karissa Jackson, of Middletown; mother Ernestina Velez, of Kissimmee, Fla.; brother, Samuel Velez, of Orlando; sister, Maria Bracero, of Winter Garden, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Operations Heal Our Patriots at Samaritan’s Purse email samaritanspurse.org in memory of First Sergeant Ernest Velez.
Visitation will be held from 1 – 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 23, at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at Strunk Funeral Home.