John Stanley Gatins, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 28, 2016, in Orange Park Fla.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Maureen. He is father to daughters Mary Gatins, Eileen McFarland and Anne Kugler and sons, John Gatins Jr., and Daniel Gatins and loved by four grandchildren.
Gatins was born on July 2, 1929, to Helena and Joseph Gatins of Washington heights in New York City. A life-long devout Catholic and family man, he and his wife, Maureen, have been parishioners of St. Helen Catholic Church for more than 30 years.
He Gatins served in the USN from 1948 to 1952 where he was trained as an electronics technician and worked on Experimental Blimp Dirigibles, finally ending his career at Cecil Field in Jacksonville.
Gatins joined the New York State Police (Troop K) in 1953. Among his law enforcement duties, he was the lone Union Representative for the Troopers, regularly representing their interests in upstate Albany. He retired after 22 years as the Desk Sergeant in Trooper barracks Brewster, N.Y., and was penned by his men “the ole grey rider” for his leadership and pension for sticking to the rules.
He retired in 1974 to Vero Beach and was employed for 10 years by Indian River Federal Bank. There he was in charge of security for its southern branches while also driving and managing the bank’s famous “Wampum Wagon,” a Winnebago RV bank needed for rural Florida customers, a job he enjoyed greatly.
He may be most remembered by his friends in Vero Beach for his tremendous efforts in starting the Vero Beach Irish American Society. In 1995 after several disappointing St. Patrick Day celebrations, he petitioned the city and organized a club with few members and no clubhouse. After years of fundraisers, the Society’s membership grew to hundreds and finally into their own clubhouse. One of Gatins’ most proud achievements was when the membership finally paid off (ahead of time) its mortgage -a goal he laid out some 15 years earlier. The Clubhouse’s bar is named in his honor and a mural with his name is painted on the club entrance on 20th avenue.
A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home followed by a 5 p.m. Wake Service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 at St. Helen Catholic Church immediately followed by burial at Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.
