In Memory: Aug. 12

Staff Writer

2 years ago

From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory

Francis “Frank” Costello, 87, Vero Beach

December 05, 1934 – August 09, 2022

Francis “Frank” Costello passed away August 9, 2022 at the VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach.

He was born December 5, 1934, in Queens, New York to the late Frank and Frances Costello.

During his years at Bryant High School in Queens, NY he participated in the amateur Golden Gloves and was a winner in his division. Also, an avid baseball player, Frank was drafted by the Washington Senators in the spring of 1951.

Frank served in the United States Air Force from October 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1961.

He had attended the University of Miami.

Frank enjoyed a successful modeling career in NYC and also studied at the Actors Studio under the tutelage of Lee Strasberg. He eventually moved to California and was under contract with Warner Brothers.

Upon the passing of his father, Frank returned to New York to take over the family business. The company installed commercial refrigeration primarily in restaurants and hospitals.

Frank began vacationing in Vero Beach in the 1980s and upon retiring moved permanently to his beloved Vero Beach.

Frank was predeceased by his first wife, Marilyn and their son, Michael Costello.

Survivors include his wife of 9 years Susan, and children Alyssa (Lisa) and Frank, Jr. He loved spending time with grandchildren Danielle, Katie, Amanda, Mathew and Joseph and great grandchildren Jameson and Luca.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.

From Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory

Laura “Lolly” Smith, 70, Vero Beach

April 13, 1952 – August 11, 2022

Laura “Lolly” Smith passed away unexpectedly on August 11, 2022, at her new home in Vero Beach, FL. She was born April 13, 1952, in Coral Gables, FL.

Laura was a talented interior designer. She and her husband Jerry owned and operated Jerry Smith Flooring & Design Center in Sebastian, FL for 30 years. She was also a friend of Bill W’s for over 33 years and she and Jerry started the first chapter of AA in Fellsmere, FL.

She loved all living things and took great delight in the world around her. She was a true Mothe Earth who enjoyed helping friends and family thrive.

Laura loved to travel. She loved the beach, antiquing, cruising, casinos and reading. Most of all Laura enjoyed making a home for her family.

She is preceded in death by her mother Clemmie Cox Law, her father William “John” Law, and brothers John and Mark Law.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Jerald E. Smith, Sr., their faithful dog Oscar, her sisters Nell Wolsiefer, Carol Law, Nancy Cannon, her niece Genny Girard and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Her son, Travis Law, grandson Austin Law, stepson Jerry and stepdaughter Linda.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 14^th 1:00 pm at Strunk Funeral Home in Sebastian. Service will follow at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask for donations to the Humane Society in memory of Laura Smith who will remain forever in our hearts.

Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Florida 32958.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Laura S. Smith, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Dama Eloise Hanks, 100, Vero Beach

August 8, 2022

Dama E. Hanks, May 31,1922- August 8, 2022

Dama Eloise Hanks, of Vero Beach, passed away August 8, 2022, with her family by her side. A remarkable and dearly loved lady, Dama was “100 years young”. She was born in Austin, Texas, on May 31, 1922, to John William and Luella Howe Ivy, and like others of “the greatest generation” she witnessed historic events and remarkable changes in society. She spent her pre-high school years in Galveston, Marshall, Paris & Kilgore, Texas, and graduated from Kilgore High School & attended classes at Kilgore Junior College. Her late siblings were Frank Ivy, John Ivy, & Hazel Paine; all four were blessed with beautiful spirits and movie-star good looks, creativity and love of life!

Dama became a Navy wife when she married the late Louis Frank Hanks in 1953, whose post-War Navy duties eventually took the family to Port Hueneme & Oxnard, California, where he retired. After their four children were all in school, she spent the next 18 years on the editorial staff of the Oxnard Press Courier, where she excelled in all aspects of journalism- reporting, writing, editing and photography. As a fledgling editor of the Port Hueneme Pilot, she covered everything from council meetings to closing down the “card rooms”, to riding with the police at night to get a first hand report. She did everything including laying out the paper to taking photographs, from local football games to crime scenes. When the Pilot merged with the Courier, she became Editor of the Young Americans page and The Port Hueneme Pilot page. She was a thoroughly modern woman, raising 4 children and being successful in a wonderful career, as well as participating in and leading community organizations. She believed in community service and strongly supported public education.

Dama and Louis lived in California for 47 years before moving to Vero Beach, Florida in 2003, joining their son Mark & his family, and buying a home in Walker’s Glen. Dama soon started writing a monthly neighborhood newsletter and continued to do so for 10 years. She loved her neighbors in Walker’s Glen and so enjoyed living in Florida, especially sitting out back by the pool, watching the clouds and wildlife passing by. They continued to stay in touch with dear friends from California and elsewhere, many who visited them here in Vero, including the family’s 1970 foreign exchange student from Sweden, Dr. Soren Berg & his family; long time “honorary son” John Holmes of Washington, D,C, , and Texas nephews Bill & Bobby Hanks.

Although she received many honors and recognitions during her years in California, Dama was most proud of their four children and their families: James M. Hanks, Colorado City ( & late wife Sue Harmon ); Dama Lou (Hanks) Brener ( & late husband Roland Brener ) Victoria, British Columbia; Mark Stephen Hanks, who very sadly passed away June 29th, 2022, & wife, Dianne, Vero Beach; and Robert Howe Hanks, Vero Beach. Also, grandchildren: Todd Hanks, Michael Hanks, Matthew Hanks, Amy Brener, Emily Hanks, Mia Hanks, Leland Hanks and Anna Hanks Jagolinzer; Great grandchildren: Elizabeth Hanks, Katie Hanks, John Henry Hanks, Tyler Hanks, Veronica Bond, Alyssa Rose Pingel and on July 27th, Louis Roland Regelmann; Also Great Great Grandchildren: Olivia and Wolfgang Acosta, and Vanna Hamilton.

   Dama wrote ‘My greatest relief will be in knowing that our precious children and grandchildren, will not grieve, but realize how blessed I was to be here for so long with such a fantastic “bunch” of people. God bless you all. I’ll see you later.”
   Until then, “Pretty Lady”, and our dearest Mother.
   A celebration of life will be held later in the fall in Vero Beach.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Dama’s memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com

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

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

John “Jack” B. DeLancy, 95, Vero Beach

August 9, 2022

John “Jack” B. DeLancy, 95, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away August 9, 2022, after a brief illness. He was born to the late John and Mary (Bannon) DeLancy in Newburgh, NY. He was devoted to his wife and love of his life, Kathryn (Castellano) DeLancy for 66 years until her passing in 2018. Jack served in the U.S. Navy as a Shipfitter 3^rd class (CB) in the Pacific Theater in World War II, including participation in the U.S. occupation force in Nagasaki, Japan. He went on to work for the NY DOT for 35 years.

Jack was a kind and loving father to Debbie Felsten of Chicago, IL, Jeff (Beth) DeLancy of Branford, CT, Lisa (Peter) Medgansis of Melbourne, FL, and David (Sue) DeLancy of Cheshire, CT. He adored his 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Jack and Kathy raised their children in Wappingers Falls, NY before retiring to Vero Beach in 1991. Jack has been an active member of the Village Green Community in Vero Beach; an active member of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church; a 3^rd-Degree Honorary Lifetime Knight of Columbus and a member of the Navy Seabee Veterans of America.

Jack was an avid sports fan rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers, NY Mets, and everything Notre Dame. He ushered for the L.A. Dodgers during spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

Family will receive friends 6-8 PM on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12 PM Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church. Condolences may be shared online at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie at www.childrenshome.us

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