William Gordon Cairns, 85, Vero Beach
William “Bill” Gordon Cairns, CPA, born March 4, 1935, passed away peacefully on Sept. 20, 2020, at his residence in Vero Beach. Bill was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and moved to Detroit, Mich., in 1949, living in the metropolitan area until retiring to Vero Beach in 1993.
Bill served his country in the US Army during the late 1950s and became a CPA soon thereafter. A proud immigrant of the “old country,” he achieved the American dream as he provided for his family as Co-founder and President of Cairns & Stewart, P.C. CPA’s of Warren and Mt. Clemens, Mich., from 1969 until his retirement.
He was a devout Roman Catholic, from his early days at St. Mungo’s Academy in Glasgow and most recently as member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach. Bill loved the game of golf from his youth and enjoyed memberships from time to time at Indianwood Golf and Country Club and Red Run Golf Club in Michigan, Hawk’s Nest Golf Club, where he served as club president in 1997 and 1998 and was instrumental in moving the club from privately owned to member equity owned, and Vero Beach Country Club.
He was an enthusiastic supporter of the University of Notre Dame and passionate about the Fighting Irish, attending games annually for nearly 60 years while a season ticket holder for most of that time. He rarely missed a televised game when he could not attend, but never missed an opportunity to say “Go Irish!”
He is proceeded in death by his late wife, Florence Marie Cairns, who passed away in 2012, after 53 years of marriage.
Bill is survived by five children, sons, Kevin P. Cairns (Susan), Brian T. Cairns (Caroline), and Michael J. Cairns (Paula); and daughters, Linda Ann Corcoran (Thomas), and Kathleen M. Keith (John); his sister, Helen Denis-Schulstad; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was the family patriarch and rock of the Cairns clan who put God, Family and his Faith first in his life.
A Requiem mass will be held on Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach followed by burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Mich., at a later date.
Lucy R. Ciccarone Serafini, 105, Vero Beach
Lucy R. Ciccarone Serafini, 105, of Winsted, Ct. ,and Vero Beach, passed away, peacefully, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. Lucy was born Feb. 6, 1915, in Norristown, Pa., the oldest daughter of Sue and Luigi Ciccarone, immigrants from Palmoli, Italy.
She graduated high school during the Great Depression, one of only three Italian women in the graduating class. The other Italian women had left high school in order to help support their families during this difficult era. However, Lucy’s father, Luigi, insisted that she complete her high school education.
After high school, Lucy worked for the Chatlin’s Dept. Store and the Chicco Beverage Company, both in Norristown. She became an assistant clothes buyer and accompanied her boss, Mr. Chatlin, to the garment district in N.Y. to help select fabric.
On July 5th, 1941, Lucy married Valentine F. Serafini and moved to Winsted, Ct., to begin her married life. World War II interrupted. While Val was serving in Europe, Lucy returned to Pennsylvania to live with her parents for two years. However, after the war, both she and Val resumed their life together in Winsted.
During their marriage of over 60 years, Lucy helped Val in the Strand Restaurant on Main Street and then at Pete’s Steak and Lobster House, a restaurant Val co-owned with his brother Benjamin Serafini and his brother-in-law James Casey.
In 1973, when Pete’s closed, Lucy began working for the Department of Revenue in Farmington, Ct., from which she retired at age 70.
Lucy loved activity, playing the piano, cooking, hosting friends and family. She was active in politics, several women’s clubs, and enjoyed bowling and playing Bridge with friends. One of her favorite activities each year was driving with her women friends to NYC to see a Broadway play and enjoy dinner afterwards. This tradition, facilitated by Evelyn Cornelio, lasted for many wonderful years.
Lucy and Val sharing their lives with the Hubbard Street neighborhood, often hosting or attending cookouts with dear neighbors and lifelong friends. She was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church in Winsted, where she was always active with Church bazaars and other projects for St. Anthony School.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan DiGiandomenico (Richard); her two granddaughters, Gabi Conklin (Todd), and Elena DiGiandomenico; and several nieces and nephews from the Ciccarone and Serafini families.
She was predeceased by her husband Valentine F. Serafini, who passed away in 2005; her brothers, Ralph and Anthony Ciccarone; and her sister, Marie Ciccarone.
An intimate family memorial service will be held at the Cox-Gifford Funeral Home in Sebastian. At a future date, there will be a celebration of Lucy’s life with a Mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Winsted, with interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Winsted, Ct.
In lieu of flowers, friends or family may contribute to the Visiting Nurse Association of Vero Beach, FL, (vnatc.com) or St. Joseph’s Church, Winsted, CT.( www.stjoseph-winsted.org/)
Joan A. Sigler, 85, Vero Beach
Well, Saint Joan of Vero decided to call it quits at 85 years. Born on July 13, 1935, she passed away on Sept. 20, 2020. It was not a fun time over the past six years as serious cognitive illness took over her life and she needed so much help to survive.
Many thanks to the people at Sea Breeze.
Joan attended Red Bank Catholic High and graduated from Immaculata College (Washington D.C.), was a volunteer for many years at Indian River Hospital in charge of placements of the Auxiliary.
She also volunteered at the Samaritan Center and for Meals on Wheels. Joan loved to travel and visited 176 of the 195 countries that belong to the United Nations. Prior to moving to Vero Beach, she lived in Richmond, Va., Greensboro, N. Ca., Alexandria, Va., Glen Ellen, Ill., and many years in Wyckoff, N.J.
As the Principal’s secretary at Washington K-5 School, she was well adept at making PB & J sandwiches for children who forgot their lunch. She was known as Saint Joan of Wyckoff.
Joan is survived by her husband, Tom; her daughter, Valerie (Mark); her sons, Tom (Kelly) and Terry; five grandchildren, Jessica, Zack and Jilly, and Morgan and Keegan; and two great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Eli.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Pam; and her parents, Ray and Eleanor Gilbarte.
Please say a little prayer for Joan – not that she needs it.
Any charitable donations in memory of Joan can be sent to The Samaritan Center, 3650 41st street, Vero Beach, FL 32967 or by going to https://www.ccdpb.org/programs/samaritan-center/overview.html
The family will receive friends 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 p.m.
A Funeral Mass celebrating her life will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.
