Carlos Latoni, 87, Vero Beach
Carlos Latoni, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, after a long illness. Carlos was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 3, 1930.
He had a love for airplanes and traveling. Carlos and his family have lived in Vero Beach since 1969.
Carlos was a member of the Air Force from 1952 to 1956, flying B29s and KC97 Refueling Tankers. He also served as an instructor for the Air Force.
He was a graduate from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Carlos worked for Lockheed Martin in Orlando for 13 years prior to moving to Vero Beach and beginning his long time career with Piper Aircraft. He worked for Piper Aircraft’s Engineering Department for 33 years. He worked closely with the aircraft vibration/flutter, static and dynamic testing and with accident investigations.
Carlos retired from Piper Aircraft in 2003. He continued to provide his knowledge and experience for years to many organizations. He was selected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and also supported by the United Nations to teach a course in Aircraft Vibration and Flutter in Chile.
His greatest enjoyment was traveling and to experience and share in the many cultures of other countries. He was fortunate to be able to travel throughout the years.
Carlos was predeceased by his wife, Gloria; his son, Carlos Jr.; his brother, Dr. Milton Latoni; and his two sisters, Hilda Vasquez and Mireya Saul.
He is survived by his two daughters, Hilda Latoni, of Vero Beach, and Estela Harp, of Alabama; and his brother, Nelson Latoni, of Puerto Rico.
He will be remembered for his kindness and friendship to so many.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. at Lowther Funeral Home, 1655 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Kathleen Teresa Murray, 56, Vero Beach
Kathleen “Kathy” Teresa Murray, 56, of Vero Beach, was born March 17, 1962, and passed away Aug. 18, 2018, at Hospice House in Vero Beach.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Murray; brother, John; parents, James and Rosemary; stepmother, Louise; and nephew, Eric.
She is survived by her daughter, Christina (Nik); her granddaughter, Emma; siblings, Patrick, Helan (Lawrence), Mary (Jim) and Angela (Darin); stepfamily, Rose, Marybeth (Mark), Edyie, Rick and Sean; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory Saturday, Aug. 25, from 2-4 p.m.
Reception will immediately follow at Michelle’s House, 733 Hall Avenue, Sebastian.
Kathy knew she had a place to go and needed help with her journey to heaven….a penny was found in her room while we were leaving to go to Hospice House. I picked the penny up knowing a loved one was there with us, as the story goes. A penny from heaven to help her on her way: Although it was my time to part we’ll always be so close at heart and as you go about your days, I’ll send some signs along the way. Just look around and you will see pennies from heaven yes, they are from me!
Please know that they are sent with love from your angel up above.
Charles E. Smith, 90, Vero Beach
Charles E. Smith, 90, of Vero Beach, passed away on Aug. 13, 2018. He was born in Huntington, W. Va., and moved to Vero Beach in 1988, coming from Roanoke, Va.
Charlie served four years in the U.S. Navy and two years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He had worked with Standard Oil, American Red Cross and retired from Indian River Estates, Vero Beach, after 15 years as their front gate security guard.
Charlie is survived by his brother, Bob Smith, of San Antonio, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Ellis and Philip; and his sister, Virginia Kubat.
A Memorial Service will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Westminister Presbyterian Church, 2555 58th Ave., Vero Beach.
Contributions in honor of Charlie may be made to Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County, 6230 77th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967.
Kathleen G. Swink, 62, Vero Beach
Kathleen “Kathy” G. Swink, 62, entered heaven’s gates on Aug. 7, 2018, at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. Kathy was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 8, 1955.
Relocating to Florida in 1958, she was a graduate of Vero Beach High School.
As a longtime resident of Vero, Ms. Swink had her own Scaffold Rental Business. She was known for her interior decorating, house flipping, and amazing craftsmanship skills.
Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Gordon and Barbara Mallon.
She is survived by her brother, Kevin Gordon (wife, Pam), who is also from New York but a resident of Vero Beach; sons, Justin S. Swink (wife, Stephanie), of Vero Beach, and Jeffrey Swink (wife, Christine), of Vero Beach; daughter, Carrie Bryant, of Vero Beach; and three grandchildren, with one on the way.
Kathy (Momma) we love you and always will, you will be greatly missed by many but never forgotten.
