Steven J. Agresti, 71, Sebastian
Steven J. Agresti, 71, of Sebastian, went home on Dec. 9, 2019. He was born in Bronx, N.Y., on Feb. 26, 1948, to Camille & Augustine Agresti.
He relocated to Rhode Island after his service in the Army. He was a devoted and loving husband of 33 years to Wanda (nee Phillips) Agresti.
Steve served in the Army as an MP, the R.I. Air National Guard Reserves and went on to serve as a police officer, crime scene investigator, and prosecutor for the Cranston, R.I., Police Department until his retirement in 1990.
He was very involved in the community in which he lived for the past 20 years, Sebastian.
He was a proud member of the Cranston Police Retirees Association and was a long-time member of the Italian American Club, of Sebastian, and the VFW Post 10210, Fraternal Order of the Orioles, & Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda; his children, Sheri Agresti Williams (husband, John), of Buffalo, N.Y., and Ashlee Powers Gaudreau (husband, Chris), of Coventry, R.I.; his grandchildren, John Matthew, Mary, Joshua, Gracie and Alijah, all of Buffalo, and Raygan Barrera, of Vero Beach, Chris Gaudreau Jr., Ashlynn Poulin, Madison Gaudreau, and Paisley Gaudreau, of Coventry; great-grandchildren, Leo Williams and Ivy Williams, of Buffalo, N.Y.; sister, Helene Agresti Ehrke (husband, Dennis), of Hammonton, N.J.; and was godfather to Nicole Synan, of New York; sister-in-law, Margo Leoni Atkinson (husband, Scott), of Taunton, Mass., and Danielle Leoni Barbusci (husband, Tommy), of Cranston, R.I.; and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Italian American Club of Sebastian on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. with Military Honors at 3 p.m.
Gladys Holmes Earman, 88, Wabasso
Gladys Holmes Earman, 88, of Wabasso, passed away peacefully at her home on Dec. 12, 2019, with her family by her side. Gladys was born on Dec. 31, 1930, in Wabasso, to Joseph S. and Marylee Holmes the youngest of three children.
She grew up in Wabasso and graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1948.
In June 1951, she married Joseph H. Earman, of Vero Beach, they were married for 59 years until his passing in May 2010.
Gladys was a mother of three children, a housewife, homemaker and a dear friend to many people. She was involved in her community as a lifetime member of the Garden Club of Indian River County, Hibiscus Circle, Indian River Memorial Hospital Volunteer and many other charitable groups.
She loved sports, an avid tennis player with a weekly match with all her friends and loved playing golf. One of her favorite sport things was watching her Miami Dolphins, PGA golf and college football. Her exceptional gardening skills were legendary, and she had a genuine love for her animals and pets.
Her biggest success in life was being a loving wife and the best mother, grandmother anyone could have, and her love and devotion to her family was beyond compare.
She is survived by her three children, Mary Beth Waddell (Brent), Gail Frierson (Al), and Joseph Jr. (Liz); six grandchildren, Travis Waddell (Kelly), Kristin Lewis (Dave), Wesley Frierson, Russell Frierson (Lauren), Ben Earman, and Sam Earman (Melissa); and five great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph S. and Marylee Holmes; her brother, Harrell Holmes; and sister, Rachel Ryall; and by her husband, Joseph H. Earman.
Services will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, Dec. 16, at the First United Methodist Church, located at 1750 20th Street, Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Garden Club of Indian River County, 2526 17th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960 and the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, 6230 77th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967.
Clara F. Nault, 78, Sebastian
Clara F. Nault, 78, of Sebastian, passed Dec. 12, 2019, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Newman, Ill., on Feb. 4, 1941, she was the daughter of Lyle Kenneth and Clara Blanche (Carey) Walker.
She married at an early age of 17 and moved to New Hampshire where she worked in manufacturing and raised her family.
What gave Clara the most joy was raising her children and loved her role as grandma and spending time with her five grandchildren.
She loved watching wrestling on Saturday mornings with her grandchildren and John Wayne movies. She kept a clean house and you could say she was obsessed doing laundry.
Clara leaves wonderful memories during the holidays cooking while playing Elvis music. She and Arthur loved taking road trips across the United States and entertaining family at their home with many barbeques by the pool.
Her family in Illinois always kept in touch and would always call and ask for Fay. Once retired, they headed to Sebastian, where she resided another 20 years and called home.
Clara is predeceased by her loving husband, Arthur Nault, of 59 years; her parents, Ken and Blanche Walker; and sister, Harriot Smith.
Survivors include her son, Kurt Nault (wife, Eileen), of Sebastian; and daughter, Karen Nault, of Manchester, N.H.; and her five grandchildren, Corey Egan (wife, Katherine), of Merrimack, N.H., Patrick Egan (wife, Cali), of Manchester, N.H., Elisabeth Nault, of Bedford, N.H., Joshua Nault (wife, Katherine), of Goffstown, N.H., and Nathan Nault, of Beijing, China; and her sister, Leone, of Kentucky; along with many nieces and nephews.
Clara requested for an intimate burial with her immediate family where they will have a celebratory luncheon at one of her favorite restaurants while playing Elvis music.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 (List In Memory Of) or to the charity of one’s choice.
Joseph John Polce, 84, Vero Beach
Joseph John Polce, 84, of Vero Beach, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019, at Indian River Estates, Vero Beach. He was born in Rome, N.Y., and had moved from Utica, N.Y., to Vero Beach.
Mr. Polce was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a graduate of John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio, and Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., having earned his Master’s degree.
Mr. Polce retired from Clinton Central Schools after 17 years in teaching. Mr. Polce was the owner of the Rosewood Inn and co-owner of Sea Turtle Inn, both of Vero Beach, prior to his 2008 retirement.
He was a member of the Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Polce is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ermina Polce.
He was predeceased by his brother, A. Paul Polce of Rome, N.Y.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Indian River County, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Nancy Crowson Raftery, 87, Vero Beach
Nancy Crowson Raftery, 87, of Vero Beach, died Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. She was born and raised in Wilmington, Del., the daughter of the late Andrew Bickley and Rachel Eaton Ritter, on April 19, 1932.
She graduated from the Tower Hill School and went on to earn a B.A. in Biology from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass.
She was married to Richard Crowson for 41 years. They moved five times and each place brought a new set of friends. Three years after Dick died, she married Edward Raftery, and they celebrated their 20th anniversary this year.
She was devoted to the Presbyterian Church; she taught Sunday School, served as Deacon and three times as Elder.
Nancy’s business career was diverse. She was a professional Girl Scout, a math teacher, a Pharmaceutical detailer and owned a Sir Speedy shop in Vero Beach with her husband.
She was most passionate about her volunteer work: President of Women of Church and a Hospital Auxiliary; Board member of Vero Beach Country Club, The Council on Aging, Park Shores HOA and PZB for Indian River Shores; Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and Girl Scout volunteer.
Nancy’s love for the game of bridge began at age 11, when her parents taught her Culbertson. Party bridge was followed by duplicate bridge at the Vero Beach Bridge Center.
Rick Steves has nothing on Nancy, as she traveled to six continents. She instilled the love of travel in her grandchildren with personalized travel trips for each child.
Nancy tested the theory of Six Degrees of Separation on a daily basis and would meet and talk to anyone who came across her path.
Nancy is survived by her children, Beth (Bill) Southworth, and June (Scott) Davis, both of Annapolis, Md.; and five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; five step-children, William Raftery, Richard Raftery, Ann Raftery, Jay (Nancy) Raftery, Patrick Raftery and Elizabeth (Chuck) Cannon; and five step-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church Vero Beach and a Reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VNA Hospice House – Vero Beach, 901 37th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960.