In Memory: June 9

From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory

Richard K. Rogers, 85, Vero Beach

July 05, 1935 – June 05, 2021

Richard K. Rogers, age 85, of Vero Beach, passed away June 5, 2021, at home.

Richard was born in Piney Point, Maryland, with one foot in the water and one foot in the sand.  His affinity with the water influenced him throughout his life, mainly enjoying boating and fishing around the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.  His love for the water and boating can be seen in the scratch built radio controlled model boats he built, which he named the Rajah Line, after the name of his father’s workboat.

Richard spent most of his life in the Washington, D. C., Metropolitan area and Solomons, MD, moving to Vero Beach with his wife Annie in May 2009.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served onboard the USS Point Defiance as a ships helmsman, small boat coxswain, gigs (small transportation boats for the Captain), LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel), etc., as well as maintaining the ship’s armory and guns.  He was listed as a Gunners Mate 3^rd class.  He thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Navy.

After leaving service in San Diego, he returned to the Washington D.C. area and was hired as a cartographer at the National Geographic Society, a career he loved.  During his almost 36 years his responsibilities varied from challenging to creative to exciting and to just plain fun.   He was often sought out for projects involving creativity due to his artistic talents.

One of his favorite assignments was taking care of the Map Room at the White House.  At that time the Map Room was a small, cozy, warm room just off the Oval Office.  On one occasion he opened the door and President George H. W. Bush was leaning back in a chair, feet on the table, no jacket, hands behind his head and a pleasant smile on his face while listening to country music. The President commented that this was his favorite room as it offered a quiet space where he could get away from everything and that he really loved to peruse maps.

Richard was a member and active volunteer at Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, MD, Solomons Island Model Boat Club, Solomons Island Yacht Club, Vero Beach Yacht Club and Indian River Model Sailing Club.  He thoroughly enjoyed whatever activities he became involved in and his talents and energies were always appreciated.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Annie; his nieces, Laura Williams and Angie Mastrovito; his nephew, Frank Barba; and his former wife and good friend, Barbara Rogers.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Nancy Rogers, his sister, Pat Barba and his brother, Lance Rogers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 2300 5^th Ave., #150, Vero Beach, FL  32960, VNA Hospice, 1110 35^th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P. O. 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

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

From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory

John R. Richards, 74, Vero Beach

June 17, 1946 – June 08, 2021

John R. Richards, age 74, passed away June 8, 2021 in Vero Beach, Florida.

He was born June 17, 1946 in Vero Beach, Florida.

Mr. Richards is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Lois; sons, Gary Richards, Robert (Donna) Richards, and Richard Richards; and four grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and Mary Richards; brother, Wayne; and sister, Joyce.

An Inurnment will be held 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 14, 2021 at Crestlawn Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home of Vero Beach.

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Rocco Abbate, 87, Vero Beach

December 16, 1933 – June 04, 2021

Rocco Abbate, 87 of Vero Beach, passed away on June 4, 2021 at his home. Survivors include his wife Nancy. His children, Roc Abbate and Jeanine (David) Fuentes. Grandchildren, Christopher, Sabrina, Roc and Jessica. Brother, Vincent Abbate and his sister, Concetta Guerriero. Rocco was preceded in death by his sister, Domenica Piumelli and is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 13th from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM, Monday, June 14th at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 7550 26th Street, Vero Beach, Florida. Interment and Military Honors will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Ft. Pierce.

Online condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com

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

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Jacqueline Anne Hughes, 82, Vero Beach

December 29, 1938 – June 07, 2021

Jacqueline Anne Hughes of Vero Beach passed away on June 7, 2021.

Please check back for the full obituary soon.

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

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Edward D. Nixon, 90, Vero Beach

April 06, 1931 – June 08, 2021

Edward D. Nixon, who celebrated his 90th birthday with a family Zoom, passed away on June 8, 2021. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Eleanor [Ellie Senese] Nixon and sons, Edward P. [Elizabeth], Bruce [Preston Bautista] and Joshua K. Ed adored his six grandchildren, Edward T., Samantha, Micaela, Zoe, Joshua P. and Rose.

Ed retired as a Lieutenant in the Fire Department of the City of New York. Ed loved his profession and was assigned to various truck, engine and rescue companies throughout his career, eventually training probationary firefighters at the Division of Training.  Ed was the Assistant Scout Master of Troop 662 Queens and spent many summer weeks at Ten Mile River Boy Scout Camp and many weekend camping trips at various places in New York State.

Ed was predeceased by his parents, David and Elizabeth [Walsh] and siblings, Harry, Evelyn, Virginia, David, George and Billy. Ed has many loving nieces and nephews and grand and great grand nieces and nephews with whom he shared many special occasions. Ed also had Senese nieces and nephews who played a large part in his and Eleanor’s life.

Ed graduated in June 1949 from George Washington High School in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Ed and his two life-long friends were in the New York State National Guard and enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. When Ed was honorably discharged, he held the rank of Staff Sergeant.

We wish to thank the staffs at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and VNA of Vero Beach for their care. We cannot say enough about the exceptional tender and loving attention given to Ed the last days of his life at Willowbrooke Court at ACTS Indian River Estates. They went above and beyond their duties to make Ed comfortable at the end of his life.

Plans to celebrate Ed’s life will be arranged at a date in the future. Please make any contributions in Ed’s honor to the charity of your choice.

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

From Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Renee E. Renzi, 94, Sebastian

February 25, 1927 – June 05, 2021

Renee E. Renzi, 94, of Sebastian, passed away June 5, 2021.

From Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory

Anthony J. Grimaldi, 78, Fort Pierce

September 30, 1942 – June 1, 2021

Anthony J. Grimaldi of Ft. Pierce, FL  passed away on June 1, 2021.

Condolences to the family can be left on this website.

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

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