Frank DiPaola,76, Vero Beach
Frank DiPaola,76, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully in his home on June 25, 2019. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 7, 1944, to Frank and Anna (nee Amalifitano) DiPaola.
Frank went to Xavarien High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., and then on to the New York Institute of Technology to gain his degree in electrical engineering. He then moved to Nashua New Hampshire to raise his two daughters.
He moved to Sandy Hook, Ct. in 1976. He remained there until he retired to Vero Beach in 2012. He was an electrical engineer and sales manager for most of his career working for various Oem Companies in Connecticut. He also worked in Newtown as a real estate agent.
Frank’s passions were baseball, The New York Mets, and Pepe’s Pizza. He painted, he loved to read books in his Jacuzzi in the beautiful Florida sun!
He had many other passions but his family was everything to him. He was content just to be home surrounded by his grandchildren, his wife, and his daughters. He was a total family man who loved with all his heart.
He was selfless and would give the shirt off his back for people he loved and cared for. He was a hard working man who always provided for his family. A lover of life, a lover of people. He was the life of the party, loved telling stories and making people laugh. He will be truly missed by so many.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Francine (nee Mella) DiPaola, who cared for him faithfully throughout his sickness. He was the beloved father of Janet DiPaola, of Vero Beach, and Laura (nee DiPaola) Miller, of Sandy Hook; the beloved father-In-law of Lawrence R. Miller, of Sandy Hook; and the beloved grandfather of Connor Miller, Jack Miller and Joshua Miller, all of Sandy Hook.
He is also survived by his beloved sister, Camille (DiPaola) Giovannone, of Staten Island, N.Y., and brother-in-law Joseph Giovannone; niece, Suzanne (Giovannone) Rassmusen and her spouse David Rasmussen, of Woodbridge, N.J. He was also the beloved brother-in-law to Eleanor (Mella) Eddy and spouse, Sanford Eddy, of Vero Beach, and niece and nephew, Elizabeth (Eddy) Damore and husband, Anthony Damore, and Craig Eddy, of Florida; sister-in-law, Geradine (Mella) Ryan, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; niece, Lenore (Ryan) Coumoutseas and husband, Daniel Coumoutseas, and their daughters, Taylor and Emily, all from Staten Island, N.Y.; brother-in-law, Arthur Mella, of NYC; cousin, William Coppolla, of Wallingford, Ct., and wife, Patricia. He also left behind many beloved cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Frank; his brother-in-law, Raymond Ryan; and his nephew, John Giovannone.
Our family would like to thank Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach and the Visiting Nurse Association in Vero Beach as well as his Cardiologist Melissa Reynolds, also of Vero Beach.
Calling hours will be on Monday, July 8, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main St., Newtown, Ct., from 9:30-11:30 a.m. followed by a Mass to celebrate his life at St. Rose Church, 54 Church Hill Rd., Newtown.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider making a donation to the American Heart Association, www2.heart.org.
To send flowers to family members of Frank DiPaola, visit https://honan-funeral-home.tributecenterstore.com
David Douglas Kroll, 76, Vero Beach
David Douglas Kroll, 76, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully after a courageous fight against cancer on June 26, 2019. He was born in Enid, Okla., on June 15, 1943, but spent his formative years in the Chicago area.
He graduated from Lion’s Township High School and Wentworth Military Academy.
David moved to South Carolina in 1963 where he attended the University of South Carolina. It was during this time that he fell in love with the Gamecocks, Sandra Simpson and her famous fried chicken.
David and Sandra married in 1968 and enjoyed 51 years of marriage. In 2017, after being diagnosed with cancer for the second time, David and Sandra moved to Vero Beach to be near their only child.
David was an active member of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church since 1992. He was a lifelong member and past president of the Mt. Olivet Lutheran Men in Mission. He remained an avid Gamecock fan until the end.
David loved traveling, especially cruising, reading historical fiction and elevating the game of Mexican Train to a competitive sport. Above all, he cherished his family and his role as “Bobo” (Grandpa).
David was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Kroll.
He is survived by his loving wife, Sandra; their son, Chris (wife, Tracy); and his grandsons, Zachary (fiancé, Shelby Lanza) and Connor. Other survivors include his David’s brother, Dr. Stephen Kroll (spouse, Joni); his sister, Susan Zeff (spouse, Robert); a niece and four nephews; and a four-legged wild child named Petey.
The family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Chapin from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 11733 Broad River Road, Chapin, SC. 29036.
Sherman Sheridan Smith, 89, Vero Beach
Sherman Sheridan Smith, 89, of Vero Beach, and formerly of Knoxville, Tenn., passed away on June 19, 2019, in Vero Beach. He was the son of the late Sherman and Hazel Smith, of Xenia, Ohio.
Sherman was a long time member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden and most recently a member of First Baptist Church of Vero Beach. He was a graduate of Ohio State University and retired from GTE after a successful business career.
Sherman was an Army combat veteran of the Korean War, receiving a Purple Heart among many other awards.
He was a member of F&AM Xenia Lodge #49, Scotish Rite, and Kerbela Temple Shrine.
He is survived by his loving wife, Dr. Betsy Smith; devoted daughter, Shari (husband, Gregg) Goodwin; step-daughter, Patty Lehr; step-daughter, Terri (husband, Brent) Walters; and grandchildren, Jeffery, Timothy, Kevin and Jennifer Goodwin, Bradley Rose, and Zachary Overton. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Marcelo, Ellie and Jowell.
Sherman was preceded in death by his step-sons, David Brearley and Todd Overton.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of Indian River County, Inc., 2300 5th Ave # 150, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 6, 2019, from 11 a.m. to Noon at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach. A Celebration of Life will follow at Noon.
Services entrusted to Cox Gifford Seawinds.
