In Memory: Feb. 2

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Sharon Way-Howard, 70, Vero Beach

July 22, 1951 – January 30, 2022

Sharon Way-Howard (70) of Vero Beach, passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 30 at her home.  She had successfully responded to lung cancer treatment.  However, after months of dealing with aftereffects and consequential issues, she was unable to continue.

Sharon was born and raised in Bay Shore, Long Island, NY and most recently made her home in Vero Beach, FL, with her husband, Bill (having recently retired from Kohler Power Systems Co.).  The decision to move to Vero Beach resulted from her desire to be near her oldest son, Brandon (Executive Chef at Riverside Café).  Her younger son, Russell, is a computer expert who owns and operates a repair shop in Brazil.

Sharon’s early life was marked by the untimely death of her younger sister Deborah and younger brother Stephen, as well as her mother Elizabeth Way’s many years of cancer-related illness.  Sharon’s parents owned Bayberry Boatyard in Islip, NY, where Sharon worked alongside her dad, Richard Way, handling the gas dock and the snack bar.

Upon Stephen’s passing, the family moved to Sayville, NY to a modest (but waterfront) property, in the process usurping Sharon from friends in high school at her senior year.  During this time and thereafter, her life was affected by the long-term illness of her sister, followed by the long-term illness of her mother.

Sharon married at a young age.  Although the marriage didn’t last, she was blessed by the birth of her son Brandon.  Ultimately, Sharon and Brandon moved next door to where Bill was pursuing his desire to use his engineering education and interest in auto racing to build and race NASCAR stock cars at a local track.  As their relationship developed, Sharon, who was very adventurous and willing to try new things, was provided with an opportunity to race in the Women’s Division, where she competed for 2 seasons, culminating in winning the “Battle of the Sexes” race.

Sharon married Bill in 1979, and purchased their first home in Bay Shore.  A year later, Russell was born, completing her family.  Her boys were her pride and joy, as the family grew to enjoy camping, fishing, boating and youthful sports endeavors.  The boys were raised in East Islip, where the family lived for 25 years.  After the death of her parents, and being the only surviving child of her parents, the waterfront house in Sayville came to Bill and Sharon, who then hired an architect and contractor to work with them to design a new, expanded house upon the original foundation.  Sharon’s artistic vision enable them to design the house with a perfect art studio and teaching space for her, and an office space for Bill (who mostly worked as the NY sales engineer for large companies located elsewhere).

After the boys left home, Sharon was able to develop her artistic interests by carving shorebirds, ultimately entering competitions in that field.  She then moved on to painting, exploring the artistic possibilities in all media: watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, etchings and monotypes.  She joined the local Wet Paints Studio Group, and pursued her education with various teachers and mentors.  She was proud to be a full-time working artist.

Throughout her life, Sharon has been drawn to the beauty of the waterfront and the nature that lies therein. Growing up in her parents’ boatyard in Islip, fishing, boating & birding with her dad, numerous travels to the naturally beautiful areas of the U.S. & abroad – all of these have influenced Sharon’s perspectives and outlook on her art.

Ultimately, she became an elected artist member of the prestigious Salmagundi Club (NYC) where she was the first woman to Chair the Art Committee in its 130+ years, and served on the Board of Directors. More recently Sharon has been the VP of the Vero Beach Art Club.  She was a Signature Member of the North East Watercolor Society, Baltimore, Rhode Island & Missouri Watercolor Societies, a Fellow/Signature Artist of AAPL (American Artists Professional League), an elected artist member of the Pastel Society of America, Academic Artists, Audubon Artists and a U.S Coast Guard Artist.

Sharon’s work is in both private and corporate collections throughout the USA (and internationally), and has won dozens of awards. Sharon has taught at her home studio and several schools and museums, has been hired as a juror at many shows and has presented many art demonstrations. Her work has been presented in many galleries.  She presented her work for over 20 years at outdoor art shows, including the Washington Square Outdoor Art Show (NYC), the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival (CT) (where she won First Place in Watercolor twice), and the Southampton Art Show (LI).  Sharon let the subject suggest the medium to work in.  In the art world, she would be considered “self-taught”.  However, she had many mentors and teachers as well as a voracious daily study habit that broadened her knowledge as she practiced her art.

Sharon and Bill had planned, in retirement, to travel far and near in their fifth-wheel RV and go fishing locally in their boat.  Sharon always reminded Bill that he could be retired, however “Artists never retire”.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of SHARON WAY-HOWARD, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Angelina Tarascio (Tirado), 87

April 08, 1934 – January 20, 2022

Angelina Tarascio (Tirado), 87, born in New York City on April 8, 1934, daughter of Carlos C. Tirado and R. Octavia Tavarez Tirado passed away peacefully on January 20, 2022, in Micco, Fl, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.  She worked at Ma Bell, in New York, as a teenager then became a Pan American Stewardess and Purser for over thirty years.  She travelled extensively over the world and lived in several states with her family before meeting her husband Charles Tarascio, also of New York.  She was an avid collector of items from all over the world and loved sharing her experiences with her family and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, and siblings (7 of 9).  Although she had no children, she is survived by many close relatives and friends who loved her dearly.  A mass and celebration of her life will be at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Micco, Fl starting at 11:00 AM on February 12, 2022.  She will be interred at the Sebastian Cemetery in Sebastian, Fl on February 14, 2022.  Arrangements are entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of ANGELINA TARASCIO, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Joyce E. Williams, 70, Barefoot Bay

September 06, 1951 – January 22, 2022

Joyce E. Williams, 70 years old, of Barefoot Bay, Florida, passed away on the 22nd of January, 2022, after a long battle with COPD and Congestive heart failure.
Joyce was a great bowler and cake decorator. She also spent her life supporting her husband during his military career and lifetimes.
Joyce is survived by her husband Edward Williams, son Michael Williams, Daughter Donna Strickland, and her sister Donna Rogers. She is also survived by her five grandchildren; Alyxandria, Jesi, Owen, Jackson, and Shelby.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Condolences can be made through Seawinds Funeral Home.

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From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Fred Bolm, 63, Sebastian

July 05, 1958 – February 02, 2022

Fred Bolm, 63 of Sebastian, Florida passed away at home on February 2, 2022.

Please check back for a more detailed obituary soon.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Fred Bolm, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

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