From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Dale Rogers, 66, Vero Beach
October 16, 1958 – February 22, 2025
Dale Rogers 66 of Vero beach passed away on February 22nd after a long extended illness. He was born in England and has lived in Vero for 55 years . He leaves behind his mother Sheila his sister Juile and his sons Christopher, and Brandon. Dale served in the United States Navy
A gathering to remember Dale will be held at 1PM, Saturday March 1st at the family home, 1306 23rd Avenue SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962.
The family would like to thank everyone for their support and love during this difficult time.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Kathleen “Kay” Spears, 102
April 9, 1922 – February 26, 2025
Kathleen “Kay” Spears peacefully passed away on February 26, 2025, at the remarkable age of 102. Born to Irving and Clara Young on April 9, 1922, Kay lived a long, full life, enriched by love, family, and faith.
In 1928, Kay met the love of her life, Winston G. Spears, in grade school. Together, they shared 74 years of marriage before his passing in June 2012. They built a loving home and raised six children: daughters Susan Szakall, Donna Handy (husband Bobby), and Deborah Caulfield; sons Thomas (wife Aline), Timothy, who preceded his mother in death (wife Diane), and Steven Spears (wife Karen). Her legacy also lives on through her 6 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom affectionately called her “Nanny.”
Kay was a woman of grace and beauty, both inside and out. She was meticulous in her home and her appearance and took great pride in nurturing those around her. Alongside her husband and sons, Kay enjoyed countless rounds of golf. A wonderful cook, she loved entertaining family and friends with delicious meals and warm hospitality. She was also an avid Canasta player, enjoying many games with her dear girlfriends.
Kay was known for her vibrant spirit and boundless energy, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her. She was a devoted follower of Christ and a cherished member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church, where her faith was an integral part of her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 2085 Tallahassee Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32961. Prior to the service, friends are invited to a visitation at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. The interment will be private, where Kay will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
John Carrano, 84, Melbourne
December 26, 1940 – February 28, 2025
John Carrano, 84, of Melbourne, FL passed away peacefully with his two children by his side after a brief illness on Friday, February 28, 2025. John was born in New Haven , CT on December 26, 1940 to the late John and Catherine Carrano. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his loving wife Louise and his sister Kathleen Youngs.
John graduated from Eli Whitney and shortly after on July 4, 1970, he was appointed to the New Haven, CT Fire Department. He served for 27 years as a firefighter during which time he received three citations and at one time he rescued two children from a house fire. John was of the Catholic faith, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge in Melbourne.
After his retirement he moved to Florida where he enjoyed sharing time with his wife. He also enjoyed sports, reading, traveling, 70’s music and playing cards.
He is survived by his son John M. Carrano, also retired from NHFD, of Florida, his daughter Deborah M. Carrano Tescione of Connecticut and granddaughters Christina M. Tescione of Connecticut and Jessica L. Carrano of Georgia.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Davis Seawinds Funeral Home in Melbourne has been entrusted with arrangements.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Roger Mitchell Sherwood, 89, Vero Beach
March 24, 1935 – February 25, 2025
Roger Mitchell Sherwood of Vero Beach, Florida passed away on February 25, 2025, at Seabreeze Rehab and Nursing Center in Vero Beach. Roger was born March 24, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois to Claire and Lyman Sherwood. He graduated from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois and continued his education at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Roger had careers in both technical and sales areas with major companies until he retired in 1999 from the Nova Chemicals office in Detroit, Michigan area. Following his retirement he moved to Vero Beach in 2002. After spending many snowy winters up north, he embraced the warmth and sunshine of Vero Beach to enjoy his retirement years. Over his lifetime Roger had many interests: hiking, gourmet food, golf, and fishing were some of them.
Roger is survived by his wife of 62 years, Emily Sherwood, and son Jeffrey Sherwood as well as daughters Lynne (husband Sam) Daley and Annabel Sherwood; and three granddaughters and one grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents Lyman and Claire, his brother Donald, and his sister Nancy Drake.
A funeral is scheduled for what would have been Roger’s ninetieth birthday at 11:00 a.m. on March 24, 2025, at St. John of the Cross Church, Vero Beach.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Prostate Cancer Research Foundation at https://www.pcf.org/or Foundation Fighting Blindness at https://www.fightingblindness.org.
From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory
Kathleen Anderson Parker, 89, Texas
March 6, 1935 – January 21, 2025
Kathleen Anderson Parker, 89, passed away peacefully on January 21,2025 at her home in Plano, Texas surrounded by her family. Kay was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 6,1935 to Otto and Clarice Anderson. She had two older brothers, Eugene and Halmer, and grew up in Cleveland where she graduated from Shaw High School.
Her father, Otto, immigrated to the United States from Sweden in 1906 at age 16. Kay was extremely proud of her Swedish roots.
Kay fell in love with Carl Parker while they both attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and she graduated there with a degree in Home Economics.
She cherished the many friendships with her sorority sisters at Kappa Alpha Theta, first established in 1870 at DePauw.
Carl and Kay married on June 22,1957 in Cleveland. After marrying, they lived in Detroit MI, Wichita Falls TX, Toledo OH and Vero Beach FL. When Carl passed, Kay moved to Cincinnati OH in 2016 to be near son Michael and family. In 2023, she moved to Plano, TX for a warmer climate and to spend time with son David and family.
Kay loved sewing, cooking, entertaining, gardening (Master Gardener), sailing, painting, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by Carl in 2015 and her second son, Jeffrey, in 2018. She is survived by her son David and his wife Judith, grandchildren Christopher and husband Henry, Scott and wife Bethany, Zachary, Lauren and husband Austin and grandson Bryan and wife Caroline and great grandson Arthur; daughter in law Elaine, grandchildren Megan and husband Ryan and great grandchildren Milo and Zoey, Nicholas and wife Cori, and Katie; son Michael and wife Christine, grandchildren Kelsie, Sarah, Erin and Ben.
Bethany and Cori are both expecting and due in May and July respectively. The Parker’s are delighted to welcome two new beautiful souls into the family in 2025.
We love you Kay and rest in peace. We look forward to reuniting with you in the future.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30pm, Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach,FL 32960.
