From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Dorothy M. Coakley, 97, Vero Beach
September 04, 1923 – May 11, 2021
Dorothy M. Coakley, 97, of Vero Beach died May 11, 2021 at Palm Garden of Vero Beach.
Dorothy was born September 4, 1923 in Eastport, Maine and was a resident of Vero Beach. She is survived by her son Joe and daughter in law, Judy Coakley also of Vero Beach.
At the request of the family services will be private.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Kathleen “Cookie” Geyer, 81, Vero Beach
March 14, 1940 – May 06, 2021
Kathleen “Cookie” Geyer, 81, of Vero Beach, FL passed away peacefully in her home on May 6, 2021.
She was born March 14, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY and moved from Long Island, NY to Vero Beach, FL in 1976.
Cookie started as a bus driver for the Indian River County School District. In the beginning of her career, she drove a bus for special needs children and would often stay and volunteer most days at the Wabasso School. During this time, Cookie played an important role as one of the founders of Communications Workers of America Union for representing Professional Support Employees of Indian River County. Cookie worked her way up, later serving as the Director of Transportation.
Not one to sit idle for long, Cookie came out of retirement to work as the Assistant Director of Transportation to Bob Veres, in Clay County for several years.
Once Cookie retired, she returned to Vero Beach where she enjoyed playing golf with the girls, weekly lunches with transportation retirees and swimming in her pool. Cookie loved good music and was always ready to dance.
Cookie was the matriarch of the family. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know her!
Survived by her children, Greg (Nancy) Geyer, Kim Geyer Medeiros (Chris Hall), Jeff Geyer, Keith (Danielle) Geyer; ten grandchildren, Michael (Ashley) Johnson, Bridget (Ryan) Garner, Joe (Michaela) Heaton, Sherry (Jared) Cook, Katie Rose, Brittany Rose, Erika (Jason) Papadoplous, Kristin (Tommy) Geyer Sleeper, Christopher Geyer, and Hailey Steinberg; five great grandchildren, Thomas Heaton, Tristian Heaton, Noah Garner, Anastasia Garner and Jasper Johnson.
She was predeceased by her two children, P.J. Geyer and Kathy Geyer Heaton.
There will be a Celebration of Life at The Moose Lodge, 226 43rd Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32968 on June 6th from 2-6 p.m.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
John J. Conforti, 87, Vero Beach
February 07, 1934 – May 10, 2021
John J. Conforti, also known as Jon, 87, died peacefully at home from post-Covid related complications on May 10, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Marie and his brother, William (wife Joan) and several nieces and nephews. His father, William Conforti; mother, Helen Scznesey; stepmother, Clotilda D’Talia; sister, Mary Kuklis and brother, Joseph predeceased him.
John was born in College Point, Queens NY on February 7, 1934. He married his first wife, Janet Kanka. After John’s service in the Army, he and Janet moved to the North Fork of Long Island, living first in the town of Cutchogue and then Mattituck. They both worked in the property title insurance industry. John’s successful career included working for National Title Insurance companies including Ticor and Chicago Title. He rose to the position of Regional Manager for Long Island based on both his technical expertise and his keen managerial ability. John understood people and found ways to motivate them to perform at their best. When John retired, he and Janet moved to Vero Beach where they enjoyed a beautiful retirement life together, including traveling to Europe and taking many cruises. After 49 years of marriage, Janet passed in 2004.
John met his second wife Marie, a Boston native, on a cruise. Fittingly, their first date included a Yankee vs. Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium with front row seats on the third baseline. The Red Sox won and John claimed to have put the fix in to win over Marie’s affection. After marrying in 2005, Marie opened her elder law practice in Vero. John supported her career in many ways as marketing director and at home, by shopping, cooking, and doing the laundry. John was fond of food, especially condiments and used to order a little lamb to go with his mint jelly, a bit of turkey to go with his cranberry sauce and a small pork cutlet to go along with his jar of apple sauce. He was often heard saying, “I’ll start my diet on Monday”. He had a good sense of humor and laughed heartily at his own jokes. He loved golf and the camaraderie he shared with his many golf buddies at Vero Beach CC, Grand Harbor and Oak Harbor.
In recent years, he enjoyed reading a good book with a cup of coffee at the pavilion at Jaycee Beach, cruising and watching professional football-always rejoicing when his beloved Giants beat the Patriots! He was a wonderful and devoted husband to two lucky wives and no doubt is in Heaven with Janet.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at the Vero Beach Country Club at Noon. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice Foundation or any charity of your choice.
His family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the many supportive friends and VNA caregivers who made John’s last days as bright as possible.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
William J. Donnelly, Jr. 70, Vero Beach
May 26, 1950 – May 13, 2021
William J. Donnelly, Jr. 70, of Vero Beach passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
Bill owned and operated Donnelly’s Pool Hall and later was a Sales Manager in the Automotive Industry.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Williams; 3 children, Shannon, Ryan and Jessie and was predeceased by a son Sean.
From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory
Andrew John Buffa, Jr., 62, Vero Beach
July 17, 1958 – May 9, 2021
Andrew John Buffa, Jr., age 62, of Vero Beach, passed away May 9, 2021.
Born July 17, 1958, at Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey, Andrew was the son Andrew J. Buffa of Leasburg, New Jersey & Emma Vanaman Douglass of Fort Pierce, Florida.
Andrew was a graduate of Cape May Township High School in Cape May, New Jersey. He later relocated to Florida where he was employed by the Florida State Health Department in St. Lucie County as well as in partnership with Larry Brooks in the Larry Brooks & Andrew Buffa Murder Mystery Masquerade in Stuart, Florida during the late 90’s.
Andrew went on to receive his bachelor’s degree and was employed by the Centers of Disease Control. He retired as an Associate Training Supervisor at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to Florida to be near his mother.
An animal lover, Andrew was caring and compassionate, having taken in several rescue fur babies over the years.
In addition to his parents, Andrew is survived by several cousins and many other loving family members & friends.
No formal services are scheduled at this time.
Donations may be made in Andrew’s honor to the Vero Beach & Indian River Humane Society at www.HSVB.org.
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