Raymond Cormier, 81, Vero Beach
Raymond “Ray” O. Cormier, 81, of Vero Beach, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 15, 2020, at the Cleveland Clinic in Vero Beach. Born in Fall River, Mass., Ray graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River, Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, Mass., and Rhode Island College, Providence, R.I., and was a lifelong learner, secondary school teacher, and sailor.
He was an active volunteer at the Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Ct., and the Vero Beach Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County in Vero Beach, where he contributed his ingenuity and ability to fix just about anything.
He was also a member of Duck Island Yacht Club in Westbrook, Ct., and Vero Beach Power Squadron in Vero Beach, and formerly a member of Spar Island Race Association in Swansea, Mass., and Newport Yacht Club in Newport, R.I.
When he was not repairing things, he was growing orchids, geraniums, cucumbers and tomatoes.
He will be remembered for his fun loving nature and sense of humor.
Ray is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Anne Marie Cormier; daughter, Cheryl L. Miller (husband, Mark); and grandchildren, Katherine L. Miller and M. Weston Miller.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Vero Beach Power Squadron by mailing a check to 301 Acacia Rd., Vero Beach, FL 32963, Attention: Commander Wayne Smith, Vero Beach Youth Sailing Foundation of Indian River County, by visiting https://www.ysfirc.org/donate/, or Mystic Seaport, by visiting https://checkout.mysticseaport.org/all/donate.
Memorial services will be Friday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Chapel, 1950 20th St., Vero Beach; with Reverend Michael York officiating.
There will be a memorial service in Connecticut at a later date.
Jean Millicent Norris Herring, 98, Vero Beach
Jean Millicent Norris Herring, 98, of Vero Beach, passed away Feb. 13, 2020. Jean was born on Jan. 1, 1922, in Miami, Fla.
She was the daughter of the late Howard Norris and Mildred Leach Norris. Jean grew up in Miami and lived there through her first marriage to William S. Frates.
In 1964, she married James P. Herring and they lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, until his retirement when they returned to Florida. Jim passed away in 2004.
Besides her family, during her life Jean enjoyed golf, painting portraits, and especially the many dogs she had over the years.
Jean lived her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.
She is survived by her seven children, five of whom were adopted, William S. Frates (Lyn), John M. Frates, Barbara F. Kelley (Bruce), Judith F. Meyer (Whity), Stephen H. Frates (Catie), Edward Herring (Lisa), and Brenda Wojciak. Jean is also survived by 24 grandchildren as well as many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.