Paul Ferdinand Hartz, 96, Vero Beach
Paul Ferdinand Hartz, 96, of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 8, 2018, at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach surrounded by his loving family. Born in Denmark in 1921, his family emigrated to Canada in 1923 and settled into a farming life in New Denmark, New Brunswick.
Paul served as a Pilot in the 162 Squadron of the RCAF during WWII, flying in the North Atlantic against Nazi U-Boats.
He married his sweetheart Stella Lurana Duncanson of Falmouth, Nova Scotia.
After the war, Paul graduated from University of Toronto and became a CPA. He joined Fram Canada in Stratford, Ontario, becoming President of Fram Canada and later moved to Barrington, R.I., where he became CEO and Chairman of Fram Corporation headquartered in East Providence, R.I., and Board Member of Bendix Corporation among many others, a career lasting over 30 years.
Paul and Stella were active community members, international travelers and avid golfers from the beginning of their almost 70 years of marriage.
They retired in 1983 to the Moorings in Vero Beach, where long friendships and many golf stories developed. Paul became a Founding Member of Bent Pine Golf Club. Paul and Stella enjoyed many more years of great fun together. Stella died in 2012.
In his most recent years Paul remained active right up to a week before his passing. His favorite activity was dancing twice a week to the live music of the Accidentals Band at the Vero Beach Community Center. Thanks to all those who sat at his table, to those in and connected to the Band and those who knew him as the gentleman he was.
Paul is survived by his daughter JoAnn Hartz Settle and her husband Michael (Nashville, Tennessee), son Peter Ferdinand Hartz and his wife Kathy (Los Angeles), Grandson Matthew Ferdinand Hartz, his wife Monica and Paul’s great grandson Kaius Ferdinand Hartz born 2017 (Los Angeles), Grandson Christopher Paul Hartz (Los Angeles), Granddaughter Elizabeth Hartz (Settle) Dykes and her husband Jeffrey (Nashville, Tennessee). Paul was also blessed to have loving relationships with nieces, nephews and cousins all part of his extended Danish family.
Special thanks to friend and companion over years of attending to our Mother and Dad, Dee Cook and Carol Farmer more recently as driver, lunch mate and confidant. Also thanks to Private Nurse Care (Gayla Eastman and Sherry) for their support and to all the friends who loved him.
Paul was warm, humble, accomplished and a true gentleman. He will be missed and remembered by all of us.
No formal services are planned. A Private Family/Friends gathering will take place in March.
Kenneth “Ken” Joseph Palaskey, 55, Vero Beach
Kenneth “Ken” Joseph Palaskey, 55, of Vero Beach, passed away Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. Ken was born July 11, 1962, in Trenton, N.J., and moved to Vero Beach five years ago from Yardville, N.J.
He had been a glass glazier before his retirement.
Ken was a member of Christ Church of Vero Beach where he attended the 9.23 Community Center and was active in many of the church activities. He was a volunteer at The Source as well.
A goodhearted man, his motivation in life was in helping others which he experienced at his church as well as volunteering at The Source in Vero Beach.
Survivors include his daughter Tarmie Leigh Matlack of Hamilton, N.J., parents Joseph and Dottie Palaskey of Vero Beach, brother Joe Palaskey of Harrisonburg, Va., nieces Meghan Palaskey of Rochester, N.Y. and Madison Palaskey of Verona, Va., and a nephew Joey Palaskey of Verona, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church The 9.23 Community Center, 925 14th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Ken will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, at Christ Church The 9.23 Community Center.
George N. Riggin, 88, Vero Beach,
George N. Riggin, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away Jan. 12, 2018, after a long bout with Alzheimer’s. George was born in Crisfield, Md., Nov. 20, 1929, to the late Kathleen and Nicholas Riggin.
He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara, on Oct. 6, 1951, and they were together for 66 years.
Shortly after graduating high school in New Castle, Del., George enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War.
After George’s discharge, he and Barbara eventually settled in Fond du Lac, Wis. George worked as V.P. of Finance for Leach Co. in Oshkosh, Wis. In Fond du Lac, George and Barbara joined the First Presbyterian Church. George was quite active as treasurer, usher, and greeter.
He was also a member of Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge of Fond du Lac, and South Hills Country Club.
After retirement, George and Barbara became snowbirds, traveling from Wisconsin to Vero Beach. They eventually became citizens of wonderful Vero Beach, where they met wonderful friends and played lots of golf. They joined The Community Church of Vero Beach, where he and Barbara were greeters.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; and several nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by two sisters and two brothers.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22, at the Chapel of The Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to the VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960
