Submitted
Kenneth Dean Felten, 65, Vero Beach
August 31st, 1958 – June 23rd, 2024
Kenneth Dean Felten passed away peacefully on June 23rd, 2024 surrounded by family. He was a loving husband, devoted father and a friend to many. He is survived by his wife Elisabeth Ann Felten and his three children, Sarah Killeen Felten, Zachary Rodger Felten, Kelly Elisabeth Caltrider and son in law, Evan Jeffrey Caltrider. He was predeceased by his father Rodger Fillmore Felten and mother Elizabeth Killeen Felten.
He was born in New York, New York on August 31st, 1958. He graduated from Massapequa High School in 1976 and studied at the State University of New York at Cortland.
He began his career as Director of Promotions for the National Sports Festival in 1980. His love of basketball led him to become the Associate Athletic Director and Men’s Head Basketball coach at Long Island University in 1981.
Ken, following in his father’s footsteps, began his long and successful career in insurance in 1988 as the VicePresident/ manager at Dowling and O’Neil Insurance in Hyannis, Ma. He met his wife Liz in 1989, while on vacation in Florida and they married in 1990. In 1992 Ken and Liz moved to Vero Beach, Florida where he took his insurance experience to Arden-Waddell, later to become Arden and Felten and then finally Felten & Associates in 1995 where he served as Owner and President until selling in 2007.
In 2005, Ken and his family moved to Woodstock, Vermont where he opened a real estate company, Vermont Country Real Estate. It became the largest listing Agency of properties over $1 million dollars.
However, the harsh winters drove them back to Vero Beach in 2010. From 2010 through 2018, Ken served as Executive Vice-President of Brown & Brown Insurance.
When Ken wasn’t in the office or on the golf course, he was contributing to the well-being of the people of Indian River County. He served as a board member, campaign chair and president of the UNited Way during the years of 1994-2000.. He was a Board member and President of The Education Foundation In 1995-1999 and the founding president of the Boys and Girls Club of Indian River County from 1999-2004. In 2001 he was named Boys and Girls Club Board Member of the Year and Treasure Coast Volunteer Fundraiser of the year. Rough Notes, an insurance publication, awarded him the Rough Notes Community Service Award in 2002. After returning to Vero Beach in 2010, Ken served on the Board of Directors and then as Chairman of the Mental Health Association of Indian River County as well as the Treasure Coast Homeless Service Council.
Submitted
Maria Frances Brideau (née Chiappinelli), 83, Port St. Lucie
1940 – June 23, 2024
Maria Frances Brideau (née Chiappinelli) was born in 1940 in Mount Kisco, NY and died June 23, 2024 while in hospice care in Port St. Lucie, FL, two days shy of her 84th birthday.
“Frannie” grew up the daughter of Albert and Rose Chiappinelli, who owned a small neighborhood grocery store in Mount Kisco, NY where she learned from her father’s example of hard work and her mother’s compassion and foundational need to feed everyone around her. The house where she grew up with her brothers Albert, Jr (“Chip”, deceased), Donald (deceased) and sister Agnes (“Aggie”) was always a welcoming place for family, friends and strangers who’d soon become friends – with plenty of good Italian food, laughter and love.
After earning a degree in nursing from SUNY Plattsburgh, she married Raymond J. Brideau, Jr in 1962, beginning a 58-year love affair. They were blessed with a large family beginning with their eldest son, Scott Brideau (Carolyn, son Collin and daughter Ryan) born in 1963, twins Rebecca Hall (Michael, sons Garrett and Brendan) and Christopher Brideau (LeeAnne, sons Nicolas and Alexander, and daughter Megan) in 1964, daughter Deborah Brideau (son Hunter and daughter Alyssa) in 1967 and son Raymond “RJ” Brideau, III (Cindy, daughter Lauren, and sons Jack and Luke) in 1969.
Fran is pre-deceased by her loving husband Ray (2020) and her beloved son Chris (2014). She is survived by her sister Aggie Nelson (Donald), her 4 remaining children and 12 grandchildren.
She and Ray had a cherished coterie of friends who sustained them from those early days in Mount Kisco and with whom they remained close their entire lives – enjoying traveling together, eating, drinking, and laughing together for decades. Those relationships, along with family and faith, were cornerstones of Fran and Ray’s life together.
The family moved from Ossining, NY to West Chester, PA in 1970, where they lived until Ray’s retirement in 1996 when they moved to Vero Beach, FL. Both were active in the community and church, as they continued to grow their circle of friends even larger. Mimi, as her grandchildren called her, was a loving but “tough” grandmother, always ready to cover babysitting duties – traveling as far as Exton, PA, Washington, DC and Austin TX to teach her grandchildren respect, responsibility and love, along with how to do their chores and make hospital corners with their bed sheets.
Like her mother Rose before her, Fran valued gathering family and friends close. And like Rose, she lived her life in service – always putting the needs of others ahead of her own. She was the strong, loyal, and supportive center of her family, who grieves her loss, but celebrates her life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral Mass will be dedicated at St Helen’s Catholic Church in Vero Beach on July 19, 2024, at noon. Burial services will be in West Chester, PA at a date still to be determined.
In lieu of flowers the family asks to please send donations in her name to the St. Helen’s Church food pantry, where Fran volunteered for years (St. Helen Catholic Church – Vero Beach, FL (sthelenvero.org) or St Jude’s Children’s Hospital (Online Donations – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Kenneth Dale Kinney, 92, Vero Beach
October 9, 1931 – June 22, 2024
Kenneth Dale Kinney was born in Oakwood, Illinois to loving parents, Oral & Alice Kinney. He was 92 years old when he fell asleep in death at his home in Vero Beach, FL.
Kenneth’s father tragically died when he was just four years old from injuries sustained in a coal-mining accident. His mother continued to instill a love for Jehovah in his heart. Kenneth’s childhood in the countryside of Oakwood, Illinois shaped him to be the mild, hard-working man many knew him to be. He was the 9th of 10 children raised during the Great Depression.
He started preaching at 10 years old and never stopped. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the age of 15, he moved to Jacksonville, Illinois to pioneer and help build up the new congregation. Within two years of being married, Kenneth went to prison in Springfield, Illinois as a conscientious objector during the Korean War.
He will be remembered as a loyal, zealous, preacher of the good news; a loyal, loving husband; a patient, loving father who never gave up on his children; the fun, story-telling “grandpaw” you always wanted; a faithful friend; and a fisherman, always ready for a catch.
Kenneth was predeceased by the love of his life, Hazel Lura Boggess, whom he married on January 20th, 1951. Hazel passed only 3 days prior to their 67th wedding anniversary. Kenneth was also predeceased by his sister-in-law Helen Boggess and his grandson Dustin L. Champagne.
Kenneth is survived by his five daughters, Kim Winsloff [spouse Jesse], Wendy Helms [spouse Alvin], Renee Berg [spouse Jeffery] , Mona Champagne [spouse Richard], and Tammy Kinney; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Throughout his life, he regularly pioneered whenever possible and enjoyed comforting others through his work on the Hospital Liaison Committee. At the time of his death, he was a regular pioneer and serving as an elder in the Sebastian South Congregation.
The family of Kenneth is deeply grateful for the love and generous care given him by the Sebastian South Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, especially toward the end of his life.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Brian O’Hara, 51, Sebastian
September 27, 1972 – June 23, 2024
Brian O’Hara, age 51, of Newtown Square, PA, and Sebastian, FL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his close family in Florida on Sunday June 23rd as a result of complications and health issues while hospitalized. Born in Newtown Square, Brian was a beloved son, brother, and uncle whose kindness and joy touched the lives of everyone he met.
Brian’s early education began at Saint Anastasia’s school, followed by Marple Newtown High School, where he lettered in Football and Ice Hockey. He continued his academic journey at Bloomsburg University and later achieved an Associate’s Degree from Delaware County Community College.
Brian enjoyed a successful career as a customer service agent, bringing his dedication and warmth to numerous companies, including Media Guide, AT&T Wireless, Ford/Jaguar, and Omaha Steaks Corporation. His professional life was marked by a commitment to service and a genuine care for the people he helped every day.
To those who knew him, Brian was the embodiment of kindness and joy. He had an infectious ability to make people laugh and always brought light into any room he entered. His compassionate nature and unwavering support for his friends and family will be deeply missed. An avid Philly Sports fan, Brian was able to keep tabs on our beloved Iggles (Eagles), Phillies, and Flyers from Florida and kept his light-hearted Delco spirit and Spartan pride his entire life. In addition, his service to his community included many years of coaching CYO football for Saint Anastasia’s Parish in Newtown Square. Brian relocated to Florida, as his work became remote from anywhere. His hobbies changed from sports to enjoying Disney World as an annual pass holder. From meeting friends and family at Disney, and enjoying tours and trips from Sebastian to Orlando, Brian became an avid fan of Disney. Brian’s love of music and movies made him a valued team member at trivia, and the one-liners he could recite were second to none.
Brian was pre-deceased by his Father (Mike) and is survived by his loving mother, Deb O’Hara; his brother, Michael O’Hara (Maria). He also leaves behind his cherished nephews, Brendan O’Hara and Colin O’Hara (Sarah), and his beloved niece, Meghan O’Hara.
Brian’s life was a testament to the power of kindness and the joy of human connection. He will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Celebration of life services will be scheduled at a later date.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Anthony “Oats” Mario Napoleoni Sr., 77, Vero Beach
November 13, 1946 – June 27, 2024
Anthony “Oats” Mario Napoleoni Sr., age 77, of Vero Beach FL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his close family at VNA Hospice in Vero Beach, Florida, on Thursday, June, 27th.
Born in Providence, RI, he was the son of Mario Napoleoni and Giulia (Amati) Trivisonno. Anthony Graduated from Cranston High School East and received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Rhode Island College, with honors. He worked as an Industrial Arts teacher for many years where he was loved by his students. His patience, ability to make complex things sound simple, and passion for the things he taught, made him a highly effective teacher. His personable and loving nature made him someone his students could develop a genuine bond with. He also served for 17 years in the Rhode Island National Guard as a Helicopter Crew Chief, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant and receiving an honorable discharge.
Anthony was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He enjoyed hunting with his friends. His true passion was waterfowl hunting with one of his trusty Labrador Retrievers, which he was a breeder and trainer of. He loved sharing the outdoors with the people he loved. Before his nephews could drive, if they wanted to hunt, he would pick them up every weekend during hunting season before the sun came up, and take them out to breakfast afterward. He knew the real meaning of quality time and being present in someone’s life, and served as a father figure to many. His presence was complimented by his loving and generous nature, wisdom and sense of humor. People who spent time with him would often find themselves laughing at his jokes, or even laughing when he was trying to be serious, because of his comical nature.
He quickly became friends with anybody he met. He always seemed to be more interested in the person he was talking to than anything else, including himself. He was someone you always felt you could talk to and he would listen, and he’d offer his honest and unfiltered opinion when you asked for it.
Another remarkable component of Anthony’s life was his strong faith. He always kept his family and close friends in prayer, and would let you know he was praying for you. He would end every phone call with “God bless you” and sincerely meant it.
Anthony is predeceased by his son Anthony Napoleoni Jr. and survived by his daughter-in-law Erica (Quattrucci) Napoleoni, grandsons Nicolas and Nathan Napoleoni, brother to Maria (Napoleoni) Hoffman and Mario (Barbara) Napoleoni Sr. Anthony was also the former husband to Beverly Simone Swanson. He leaves many “favorite” nephews and nieces, and many dear friends in Rhode Island and Florida.
A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends on Sunday, July 21st from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Coventry-West Greenwich Elks Lodge, 42 Nooseneck Hill Rd, West Greenwich, RI 02817.
From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Joan Marie (O’Reilly) Hart, 87, Sebastian
January 20, 1937 – July 11, 2024
Joan Hart passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 11, 2024 at her residence at the Promenade in Sebastian, Florida. Joan was born on January 20, 1937 to Mae Hoglund O’Reilly and James O’Reilly.
Joan grew up in Brooklyn where she met her husband William, aka Bill Hart. Joan and Bill were married on January 1, 1956 and resided in Brooklyn until 1961 when they moved to Deer Park Long Island to raise their 3 children Linda Mae, Eileen Catherine and James Francis. Joan eventually retired full time to Sebastian, Florida in 2008. She met many new friends and some old friends in Florida and loved socializing with all of them.
Joan was proud of her 3 grandchildren Julie, Gina and Ryan and loved them dearly. She was blessed with 5 great grandchildren Rachael Morabito, Adelyn Morabito, Eileen Morabito, Forrest Dunn and Georgia Dunn. Before she passed she was excited to learn another great grandchild was on the way.
Joan is survived by her children Linda Hart Richardson (Steven Richardson) of Oxford, CT and James Hart (Elizabeth Manning Hart) of Smithtown, NY. She is also survived by her 3 grandchildren Julie Richardson Morabito (Kenneth Morabito) of Trumbull, CT, Ryan Hart (Katy Hart) of Queens, NY and Gina Richardson Dunn (Alexander Dunn) of Easton, CT and her 5 great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents, her husband William Hart, her daughter Eileen (Hart) Benza and her brothers George Kelly and Gerard O’Reilly.
Joan will be laid to rest in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.
