Richard W. Broden, 76, Vero Beach
Richard “Richy” W. Broden, 76, passed away April 7, 2020 at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. Richy was born in Springfield, Mass., and moved to Vero Beach in 2009 from Agawam, Mass.
He had worked as a Pulp Room Engineer for the Premoid Paper Mill in West Springfield, Mass.
Richy was an avid sportsman who fondly enjoyed both hunting and fishing and spending time at the beach.
Survivors include his wife, Judith Broden; son, Joseph Broden (wife, Patty), of Roseland; daughters, Virginia Lethco (husband, Mike), of Bessemer-City, N.C., and Kimberly Broden (husband, Roy), of West Springfield, Mass.; brother, Rodney Broden, of California; stepbrothers, Albert Mastrioanni and Louis Mastrioanni (wife, Elaine), of Westfield, Mass.; stepsister, Judith Pierce, of Rowe, Mass.; 20 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George A. Broden, and Virginia Claire Shaw Broden; and his step-father, Lou Mastrioanni; and sons, Michael Langevin and Richard Broden, Jr.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
A memorial service and interment will take place in Massachusetts at a later date.
Richard William Collins, 90, Vero Beach
Richard William Collins, 90, of Vero Beach, died peacefully on Tuesday April 7, 2020, in Stamford, Ct. Richard was born Feb. 10, 1930, in Grosse Pointe, Mich., to John Timothy Collins and Dorothea Holmes.
The family moved to New York City in 1931, and then to Bronxville, N.Y., in 1938. In 1947, Richard graduated from the Portsmouth Priory School (now Portsmouth Abbey) in Portsmouth, R.I.
Richard earned his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in 1951, and he graduated from Yale Law School in 1954. Richard served in the United States Army’s Counter-Intelligence Corps. Richard practiced law in New York City for 39 years, first at Chadbourne & Parke and then as a founding partner at Anderson Kill & Olick for 25 years.
Richard married Pamela Neill in 1956. Together, Richard and Pamela raised a family of five children in New York City and Millbrook, N.Y., where they spent their summers. In 1995, Richard and Pamela moved to Vero Beach, where they maintained a residence for 25 years.
Richard was a dynamic man with many passions and talents. A Knight of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Richard held dearly his deep Catholic faith, which guided him throughout his life. Richard was an extremely dedicated father and grandfather who could be counted on by his family at all times. He was a brilliant lawyer who brought intelligence and integrity to his practice. Richard was also an active and committed member of his community, serving as a Trustee of the Saint David’s School, as a Trustee of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, as President of the Alumni Association of Portsmouth Abbey, and as a President of the St. Thomas More Parish Council.
Richard was an avid and accomplished athlete and a ferocious competitor – he had legendary endurance, impeccable sportsmanship, and an indomitable will to win. And most importantly, Richard was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Pamela, whom he personally cared for during her life-ending battle with cancer.
Richard is survived by his five children, Jacqueline Collins Hullar (John), of Vero Beach, Richard William Collins, Jr. (Jennifer Blessing), of Brooklyn, N.Y., John Timothy Collins, III (Kathleen), of Glenview, Ill., Stephen Fraser Collins (Julie), of Omaha, Neb., Christopher Lawrence Collins (Judith), of Greenwich, Ct.; his 10 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandson.
Richard was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Pamela Neill Collins; his sister, Marianna Collins Tostanoski; and his brother, the Reverend Msgr. Timothy Collins.
The Mass of Christian Burial and reception will be held in Vero Beach for Richard when the COVID-19 pandemic passes and his family and friends are able to gather as a group. Richard will be interred alongside his wife, Pamela, in Johns Island, in Vero Beach.
Alma Lee Loy, 90, Vero Beach
Businesswoman and community leader Alma Lee Loy, 90, of Vero Beach, died of natural causes on April 10, 2020. She was born in Vero Beach on June 10, 1929, the oldest child of Viola and George Loy. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a positive mark on the Vero Beach and Indian River County community that she held dear.
As a young businesswoman, her first enterprise was a lemonade stand when she was 6 years old. During World War II she sold more Savings Bonds than any other student at Vero Beach High School. Before starting college, she joined Vero Beach Country Club where she was a lifelong member.
She was an avid golfer and became Club Champion in 1954. Sixty-six years later she began the annual Alma Lee Loy Team Challenge, a youth golf tournament at the same club.
In 1947, Alma Lee enrolled at Rochester Institute of Technology where she was elected President of the Student Body in 1950. She went on to graduate from University of Miami with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1952. While there, she was elected President of the Dormitories. Following college, she was one of the first female sports column writers in Florida using the byline “Duffer Dan” in the Vero Beach Press Journal for four years.
Following in the footsteps of her father, she went into a long career in retail. She was co-owner of Alma Lee’s Children’s Clothing Center in downtown Vero Beach with close friend Lucy Auxier. The children of Vero Beach grew up visiting Alma Lee’s with their mothers for casual and dress clothes, back to school wear and uniforms.
Many successful Vero Beach businesswomen held their first jobs at her store. In 1997, they closed the business and Alma Lee retired to devote the rest of her life to volunteer public service and philanthropy.
With a passion for civic engagement, she was a founding member of the Vero Beach City Recreation Board, Vero Beach Downtown Merchants Association, Indian River County United Way, Center for the Arts (now Vero Beach Museum of Art), the Environmental Learning Center, Education Foundation of Indian River County, and the Indian River Community Foundation. She served as chairman and raised funds for many local organizations including Center for the Arts (now Vero Beach Museum of Art), and Gifford Youth Orchestra. She was a member of the First Baptist Church since 1936 and served as Chairman of their 100th Anniversary.
From 1968 to1980 she was consecutively elected to the Indian River County Commission. She served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Commission. Because of her foresight and dogged determination, the County realized the construction of the 17th Street Bridge which was later named the Alma Lee Loy Bridge in 2012.
In addition, the Wabasso Beach County Park was dedicated in her name for her many contributions and efforts in development of public beaches and parks for the citizens of Indian River County.
Alma Lee recognized the importance of special places and the environment. She was active in saving the original 18-acre McKee Botanical Garden from condominium development, served twice as president of the garden and, recently, helped raise funds for the Children’s Garden. She served on the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary Committee, was Chairman of a Capital Campaign for the Indian River Land Trust and served two terms as their President. In 2013, she received the Harbor Branch Institute, Florida Atlantic University “Love Your Lagoon” award for efforts in ecosystem preservation.
At the time of her death, she was serving on the Boards of McKee Botanical Garden and the Indian River State College Foundation.
Understanding the need for quality community healthcare, she became involved with the hospital and was elected to Indian River Medical Center Board of Directors in 1986. Twenty-one years later she was appointed by the Governor to Indian River Hospital District and served as its Vice Chairman.
While Alma Lee received many awards, several have also been named in her honor. One such award is the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce “Alma Lee Loy Community Service Award” recognizing citizens of Indian River County who have distinguished themselves professionally through excellence and privately through commitment to the community. She was the first female chairman of their board. The Chamber’s “Alma Lee Loy Building” was dedicated in her name following a 2009 community recognition parade “Around the Block with Alma Lee”. She was also honored to have the “Alma Lee Loy Award” created by the Cultural Council of Indian River County in recognition of outstanding volunteers who serve the cultural arts.
Among the recognitions that Alma Lee cherished were the 2007 “Dan K. Richardson Humanitarian Award” from the Gifford Youth Activity Center and being named an “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Indian River State College Foundation. The “Alma Lee Loy Legacy Society” was established by Indian River Community Foundation.
Alma Lee was proud of her support of major community issues such as the City’s sale of the Dodgertown parcel to Indian River County, and her role in the future of the City owned properties at the intersection of Indian River Boulevard and 17th Street in Vero Beach.
She was a staunch supporter of business women and women’s rights. In1964, she was appointed by then Governor Farris Bryant to serve as an original member of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and a year later was appointed by Governor Hayden Burns to the Florida Association of Women’s Safety Leaders. She was a special guest speaker at the “100 Year Anniversary of Women Voting in Florida” in Fellsmere, the first city in Florida and the southeast to allow women to cast their vote.
She is survived by her nieces, Laura Ann Daily (Joe), of Foley, Ala., Gwenda Lee Loy, of Vero Beach, and Robyn Guy (Noreen Olson), of Seattle, Wash.; cousins, Donna Morris (Eddie), of Vero Beach, Shari Gordon, of Landrum, S.C., Lynn Chalmers, of Columbus, N.C., Beth Spurr, of Marstons Mills, Mass.; and, Aunt Mattie Mark and family, of Vero Beach and Fort Pierce.
She is survived by longtime friends Rene Perez, Vero Beach; Bretton Jenks (Bryant), Vero Beach; and Jason Perez (Susie), Denver, Colo.
She was predeceased by her brother, George Loy, Jr.; and sister, Gwendolyn Guy.
In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to McKee Botanical Garden 350 US-1, Vero Beach, FL 32962 or the First Baptist Church 2206 16th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are under the care of Strunk Funeral Home. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at a later date.
Alma Lee’s honesty, integrity, and generosity served as model for hundreds of people in the community. She was passionate about the betterment of the Vero Beach and Indian River County community and her words of wisdom made a huge difference in community outcomes. The lives of everyone in Indian River County are touched in some way because of her years of community involvement and determination.
Janet B. Norman, 96, Vero Beach
Janet B. Norman. 96, of Vero Beach, died peacefully of natural causes on April 8, 2020, at the VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach. She was known by friends as Jan and by family as Nan. Jan was born on Feb. 23, 1924, in Black Brook, N.Y., to Ovelia Rushia and Albina Gravelle.
She attended AuSable Forks High School and married Francis F. Norman on Nov. 27, 1941. Fran died just days shy of their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 17, 1991. Jan worked for many years for the J & J Rogers Company and later for the AuSable Valley Valley school District.
Jan made her home in Sebastian, where she and Fran had enjoyed many winters. She later moved to Vero Beach and in 2014 made her home with her daughter, Linda (husband, Bill) Sherman.
In 2017, Brookdale Assisted Living Facility became Jan’s home, where she enjoyed the activities and most of all the weekly bus ride.
Jan was always busy making just one more afghan for her family. She was an avid Mah-Jongg player for many years.
Jan is survived by her daughter and son-in-law; and six grandchildren, Jeffrey William Sherman (Steven Choi), Michele Sherman Davenport (Anthony), Joseph Garso (Marie), Eric Sherman, Brian Sherman (Michelle) and Mark Garso (Nancy); 10 great-grandchildren, Jackie Garso, Holden, Preston and Morgan Choi, Thomas and Adam Sherman, Zachary and Stone Sherman, and Gabriel Luke and Caitlyn Garso; and one great-great-grandson, Derek Sherman; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many long-time friends.
Jan was predeceased in death by her parents, her husband, daughter Deborah and granddaughter Melissa, and also by her siblings, sisters Mae Senecal, Eva Sharrow, Rose Douglas, and brothers James and Paul.
Thwaits-Zaumetzer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at Holy Name Church, AuSable Forks, N.Y., with burial at Holy Name Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jan’s name may be made to your local Hospice.
Douglas Pomasl, 87, Vero Beach
Douglas Pomasl, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on April 3, 2020. He was born in Durand, Wisc., on March 26, 1933, to Fred and Esther Pomasl.
In his golden years he enjoyed playing Bridge with the Welcome Wagon and his Monday night card game, Texas Hold’em at the Elks club in Vero Beach. In his younger years he enjoyed bowling and golf.
He will be missed by his wife, Irene; his children, Stephanie Pagel (Darin); his daughter-in-law, Debra Pomasl; and step-children, Vicki Rheinschmidt (Tom), and Renee McCunn (Graham); 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; and his dear niece, Dinny, whom he loved and her family.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Pomasl.
At this time of uncertainty in the world there are no services planned at this time.
Prayers are always welcome.
Joel Duane Taylor, Jr., 77, Vero Beach
Joel Duane “Buddy” Taylor, Jr., 77, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully, with his daughter at his side, early Wednesday morning on March 18, 2020 at the VNA Hospice House.
Buddy or Uncle Buddy, as most people knew him, was born and raised in Sebastian in July of 1942, to his late parents, Joel and Arzi Dean Taylor.
He graduated from Vero Beach Sr. High School in May of 1960, and in October 1960, enlisted in the US Army. After completing his training, he served overseas in Korea as part of the 8th Cavalry Regimen of the 1st Cavalry Division. When he returned to the US in July 1962, he completed his active duty term, as part of the 29th Infantry Division, at Fort Benning, Ga. He was honorably discharged in October 1963, and remained in the US Army Reserves until 1966.
In 1964 Buddy married Sharon Anne Farver Taylor (now Gore), and together they had a daughter, Rhonda Lynn Taylor (now Hall). The two later divorced in 1976. Then in 1978, he married his late wife, Judith Diane Keen Taylor. They lived and worked in Vero Beach for 35 years, until Judy’s passing in February of 2014.
Through the years, Buddy worked for Florida Power & Light, Piper, Keen’s Supermarket stores, and lastly for Knight & Mathis, Inc., where he retired.
Buddy never met a stranger. He was known for his friendly spirit and generous heart. He was also known for his tremendous love of fishing. Buddy loved any and all kinds of fishing, but his favorite was gigging flounder, from his boat, late into the night, out in the Sebastian River.
He also had a great love for Florida History, especially in the areas of Agriculture and Ecology. He was very proud to be a native Floridian, and a true Florida “Cracker”. He loved big get-togethers with family and friends, and his favorite was always a good ol’ fish fry!
Buddy had put much time into mastering the art of the perfect hush-puppy. He loved Blue Grass music and old classic Country music. His favorite was music by Ronnie Milsap. He also loved the comedy of Jerry Clower.
An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Buddy was proud to be Mormon.
He is greatly missed and forever loved by his daughter, Rhonda Taylor Hall, his two granddaughters Kirstin Taylor Hall and Kaitlin Ranee Hall, and by his great-grandson, Landon Taylor Smith, all of Saint Cloud, Fla. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Walther, of Sebastian. Buddy will be missed by many beloved cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
His memorial service and interment, are postponed to a future date, due to the current pandemic of our time, Covid-19. Once this horrible virus is behind us and a date can be set, an announcement of such will be posted both on his daughter’s Facebook page and on Buddy’s memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com under his full name, as is listed above.
Our family would like to encourage you to take a few moments and think of your times shared with Buddy. Then if you would, we request that you would please share a favorite memory or story, either here on his memorial page, or directly to email [email protected].
Please send any written correspondence directly to his daughter at her address:
Rhonda Taylor Hall
5490 Silver Thistle Lane
Saint Cloud, FL 34772
Cynthia Kain Wigton, 88, Vero Beach
Cynthia Kain Wigton, 88, passed away peacefully in her Vero Beach home surrounded by her children on Saturday, April 4, 2020, a beautiful sunny day.
Cynthia was active in the community, enjoying her favorite pastimes of golf, bridge, traveling and going to the theater with her many friends. She was a member of Baltusrol Golf Club and John’s Island Club.
Cynthia was born to Harold and Margaret Kain on June 28, 1931, in Millburn, N.J. She graduated from Millburn High School in 1949 and received a BA from Skidmore College in 1953.
She married the late Richard B. Wigton in 1954. They lived in Summit, N.J., and later Morristown, N.J., then Vero Beach.
Cynthia is survived by her children, Nancy Wigton, of Chatham, N.J., Richard Wigton (wife, Nancy); their children Richard, Conner and Sarah, from Centennial, Colo, and Suzanne (husband, James) Booth, from Denver, Colo.
Cynthia was predeceased by her loving husband, Wig, in 2008. They had a great life together for 54 years and took great pride in the raising of their children, adored their grandchildren and enjoyed many travels throughout the world.
There will be a celebration of Cynthia’s life at a later date in Florida. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., or Riverside Theater in Vero Beach.
