GULF HIGH SCHOOL

Obituaries

A-F | G-L | M-R | S-Z

MAKI, TREVOR. Death strikes family twice in two months. Trevor Maki joined the Navy two years ago to earn money for college. Instead, the 1997 Gulf High School graduate will join his grandfather later this week in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. The 22-year-old Navy airman was hit by a plane's propeller blade aboard the USS Enterprise on Friday during routine exercises off the Virginia coast. He died the next day. The accident is under investigation, according to Navy officials. Maki's death is the second this year for the Maki family members, who are longtime New Port Richey residents. His mother, Alda Maki, died in February after a seven-year battle with cancer. "I was just beginning to get my life back together after that," John Maki, Trevor's father, said Wednesday. An avid sports fan, Trevor Maki had played football all four years at Gulf High and planned to study physical therapy with an eye toward sports medicine when he got out of the Navy, his father said. In Trevor Maki's bedroom, a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team pennant was among those adorning the walls, and a well-worn football shared space on a bookshelf with several football trophies. The husky athlete smiled out from a stack of pictures on his shelf, several with his prom date and others with his football pals. "He's really the kind of kid you'd like to have on your team because you always knew you could count on him," said Keith Newton, head football coach at Gulf High. "He was an easy kid to get along with." But not one to mess with on the field: With his 5-foot-9, roughly 235-pound frame, Maki was an effective offensive and defensive tackle, even when starting against players taller than he, Newton said. "He always got right back up." Whenever he got leave from the Navy, Maki would come by for a visit, Newton said. "We'd mostly talk about sports when he was here," Newton said. "He loved the game." Maki's two years in the Navy were spent aboard the Enterprise, one of the Navy's best known nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, capable of launching aircraft every 30 seconds, according to the Navy. Maki was an aircraft handler with the ship's Air Department and was trying to secure a plane that had blown a tire when he was hit by the propeller, Navy officials said. "He was supposed to get in there and tie the birds (aircraft) down" after they landed, Drew Carmichael said. Carmichael met Maki in boot camp and worked with him aboard the Enterprise. He accompanied Maki's body back to Florida. John Maki, a respiratory therapist at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, said his son usually called home two or three times a week, especially since his mother died. He said he'd been out the last few times his son had called and missed those calls. "I hadn't spoken to him for about two weeks," John Maki said. Still recovering from his wife's death, John Maki said he has depended on the Navy, family and friends from River Ridge Presbyterian Church to help him cope with his son's. He said it isn't about taking things one day at a time. "It's one minute at a time," he said. In addition to his father, Trevor Maki's survivors include two brothers, Richard and Michael, and his maternal grandmother, Nedra Summers, all of New Port Richey. St. Petersburg Times, Apr. 21, 2000.

MANGAN, JOHN J., 92, of New Port Richey and formerly of St. Petersburg, died Saturday (April 23, 1994) at HCA New Port Richey Hospital. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., he lived in St. Petersburg before moving to New Port Richey in 1959. He retired as a teacher from Gulf High School and was a member of Community Congregational Church, New Port Richey. He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the Pearl of the West Masonic Lodge and American Legion, both of New Port Richey. Survivors include two brothers, George, New Port Richey, and Henry, Altoona, Pa.; and two sisters, Maria Brown, Long Island, N.Y., and Theresa Bowman, Denver. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

MARCHMAN, FRED K., 93, of New Port Richey, died Saturday (Feb. 19, 2005) at Community Hospital of New Port Richey. Born in Daleville, Ala., he came here 71 years ago from Plant City. He was a former principal at Richey Elementary School and was appointed Superintendent of Pasco County Schools. He was an Army captain and a veteran of World War II. He was a member of Paradise Post 79, the American Legion, the Gulfcoast Amateur Radio Club and the Florida Retired Educators Association. He was Methodist. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Marguerite; two sons, Frederick, Tarpon Springs, Richard, Jamestown, Colo.; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

MARCHMAN, MARGUERITE C., 88, of New Port Richey, formerly of Plant City, died Thursday (Oct. 6, 2005) at Southern Pines Nursing Center, New Port Richey. Born in Ocala, she came here 65 years ago from Plant City. She was a teacher for the Pasco County School System. She was a member of the Florida Retired Educators Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Questers, Southern Dames, West Pasco Historical Society and the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She was Methodist. Survivors include two sons, Frederick K., Tarpon Springs, and Richard L., Jamestown, Colo.; a brother, Kenneth G. Cassels, Salt Springs; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Michels-Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

MARQUIS, JASON DANIEL, 25, of Silver Spring, Md., died Tuesday (March 20, 2001) at home in Silver Spring. Born in New Port Richey, he moved to Silver Spring two years ago. He was a registered nurse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., for the last 18 months. He was a graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville where he received his nursing degree. Survivors include his father, David Sr., Port Huron, Mich.; his mother and stepfather, Rita L. and Gary A. Phillips, New Port Richey; a brother, David Paul Marquis Jr., and a sister, Jennifer Lynn Marquis, both of New Port Richey; paternal grandmother, Mary Marquis, Spring Hill, a nephew, David Paul III, and a niece, Jorden Ashleigh, both of New Port Richey. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, New Port Richey.

MARRS, AGNES ALINE, 92, of Anaheim, Calif., formerly of New Port Richey, died Friday (Aug. 13, 2004) at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, Calif. She was born in Kendrick and moved to Anaheim in 2001 from New Port Richey. She was a 1931 graduate of Gulf High School of New Port Richey. She was a 20-year volunteer pink lady at Hardee Memorial Hospital. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Wauchula. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her daughter, Kathleen Christina Marrs, Yorba Linda, Calif.; a sister, Audree M. Heisey, New Port Richey; two nephews, Alex Bell, Tarpon Springs, and Mark Gamble, Shelby Township, Mich.; and five nieces, Marlyn Jones, Loretta Gamble and Carla Wilson, all of New Port Richey, Rebecca Morgan, Fort Collins, Colo., and Bonnie Cabe, Clayton, N.C. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, New Port Richey.

MARSH, ROBERT J. Robert J. Marsh, retired educator, died after a long illness at HCA New Port Richey Friday. He was 69. For more than 40 years, Marsh taught children. His teaching career began in a one-room school house in Michigan where he taught kindergarten through eighth grade. He came to Pasco County 23 years ago, first teaching in Dade City and later at Land O'Lakes High School. In addition to teaching, Marsh was also dean of Saint Leo College for two years and principal at Gulf High School for three years. But his first love was always teaching, his wife, Mary, said. "He loved it," she said. "Teaching was his life. Children learned from him." Marsh's efforts earned him many awards, including numerous Teacher of the Year nominations and a Service to Mankind Award from the Sertoma Club in 1980. But his biggest award came in the form of a letter from a former student, Mrs. Marsh said. The student, who wrote Marsh three years ago, said that if not for his kindness and guidance, she wouldn't have been able to pursue her dreams. "That shows you what kind of a man he was," Mrs. Marsh said. After he retired from teaching three years ago, he still tutored children in English, Mrs. Marsh said. He couldn't be away from it, she said. Marsh is survived by his wife; two sons, Robert, Seattle, Wash., and Thomas, New Port Richey; two brothers, Jeoffrey Chidlaw, Virginia, and David Chidlaw, Champaign, Ill.; a sister, Caroline Marvin, Lockport, N.Y.; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church in Holiday. North Funeral Home in New Port Richey is handling arrangements. St. Petersburg Times, March 26, 1990.

MARTELL, Joseph J. (W.O.J.), 34, passed away March 29, 2008. He was born in LaCrosse, WI, and came to New Port Richey 20 years ago from there. He had lived in Homosassa for the past 2 years. He was an asphalt plant operator for C. W. Roberts Co., in Wildwood. He was a member of the Sand Hill Hunt Club, Perry, FL, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Joseph is survived by his parents, Kenneth & Mary Martell; a son, Travis, all of New Port Richey; 2 sisters, Jennifer, New Port Richey & Susan Smith, Las Vegas, NV; maternal grandfather, Willie Antony, LaCrosse, WI & his companion Chris Piermatteo, Homosassa. The family will visit with friends Thursday, 6-8 pm at Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home 5228 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey 727-845-1957

MATHEY, STEVEN, 19, of New Port Richey, died Saturday (May 13, 2000) at North Bay Hospital as the result of an automobile accident. He came here 15 years ago from his native Clearwater, and was employed by Specialty Pool Service, Tarpon Springs. He was a member of First Christian Church of Tarpon Springs, a graduate of Gulf High School class of 1999 and attended St. Petersburg Junior College. Survivors include his parents, Edward and Lugene Mathey, Holiday; a brother, Brian, Holiday; his paternal grandparents, Robert and Margaret Mathey, Clearwater; and his maternal grandmother, Patricia Roebuck, Dunedin. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Holiday Chapel.

MATULEWICH, DENISE LYNN, 25, of Largo, formerly of Hudson, died Wednesday (March 8, 1995) at Largo Medical Center. Born in Nassau County, N.Y., she came here 18 years ago from Long Island, and was a nail technician and dancer for Rachel's Dance Club. She was a Catholic. She attended Gulf High School, New Port Richey. Survivors include her mother and stepfather, Arlene and Richard Bondanza, Hudson; her father and stepmother, Michael and Linda Matulewich, Jupiter; a brother, Michael, Hudson; a sister, Laura Matulewich, Clearwater; her paternal grandmother, Lena Matulewich, New York; and maternal grandparents, Amelia and Stephen Fries, Port Richey. Bell Funeral Home, Bayonet Point.

MAYO, MICHAEL A. "MIKE," 25, of Clearwater, formerly of Holiday and New Port Richey, died Wednesday (Sept. 27, 2006) at home. Born in Hammond, Ind., he came to Florida in 1988 from Chicago. He was a petty officer second class in the Coast Guard stationed in Clearwater, and attended Calvary Chapel, Holiday. Survivors include his mother and stepfather, Richard and Laury McKenna, Holiday; his father, Michael Aloi, Calumet City, Ill.; two sisters, Misty Jean McKenna and Kaylee Ann McKenna, both of Holiday; his maternal grandfather, George Mayo, Melbourne; and his paternal grandfather, Philip McKenna, Flat Creek, Ga. Veterans Funeral Care, Clearwater.

MCCART, BRUCE EDWARD, 59, of Hudson, died Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2006) at home. Born in Franklin, Pa., he came here 44 years ago from North Irwin, Pa. He was an Air Force veteran working as an aircraft mechanic in the Vietnam War. He had been an assistant principal at Hudson High School. He earned his master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and bachelor?s degree from the University of South Florida. He was an alumnus of University of Southern Mississippi, Krewe of Chasco, member and state president of Retreads Motorcycle Club, and member of Beacon Community Church. Survivors include his wife, Janie; two sons, Sean McCart, New Port Richey, and Brian VanWinkle, Elizabeth City, N.C.; a daughter, Holly DiFabio, Hudson; his mother, Vivian "Dot" McCart, and a brother, Craig, both of Hudson; and four grandchildren. Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

MCCART, KEITH, 59, of Hudson, died Saturday (Oct. 9, 2004) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice Care Center, New Port Richey. Born in Bradford, Pa., he came here a month ago from Cairo, Ga., and was a former resident of this area. A 1963 graduate of Gulf High School, he was a purchasing manager for Seminole Marine, Cairo, an Air Force veteran of Viet nam, and Christian. Survivors include a daughter, Jennifer Bisping, Safety Harbor; his mother, Vivian McCart, and two brothers, Bruce and Craig, all of Hudson; and several nieces and nephews. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

McINTYRE, MARGARET M. "PEGGY," 90, of New Port Richey, died Monday (Dec. 5, 1994) at HCA New Port Richey Hospital. Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, she came here 56 years ago from Columbus, Ohio. She was a manager for the cafeteria at Gulf High School, a member of the First United Methodist Church and an adult leader of its youth fellowship. She was an officer of the American Legion Auxiliary Paradise Post 79. Survivors include a son, James, New Port Richey; and three grandchildren. Morgan Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

McKAY, CHESTER. Local Boy Is Listed As Lost In the Atlantic. Parent of Chester McKay Advised That Their Son Died While On Duty At Sea. War and what it means in terms of grief and pain and sudden death was brought sharply to the consciousness of New Port Richey and Pasco county people when news was received last Sunday by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McKay of this city that their son Chester Rufus McKay had lost his life in line of duty while serving with the naval forces of his country in the Atlantic. It was the first casualty of the war so far announced as from this county affecting those in active duty in any war zone. Chester McKay was 31 years of age. He came to New Port Richey with his parents (illegible) years ago, and received his early education at the local schools. Fourteen years ago he enlisted in the navy and his terms of enlistment had sent him to many parts of the world. Lately he had been serving in Atlantic waters, with rank of boatswain second class, and his last address given was as a member of the crew of the supply ship Pollux, which was officially announced as being sunk in (illegible section). He was a most likeable chap, and his friends were numbered by acquaintances -- and they were many. The news of his passing came to this community as a considerable shock, tempered only by the fact that all knew that he had set an example in passing by accepting his dangerous duty bravely and was staunch at his post when the final challenge came. Besides his parents survivors are three brothers: W. Allen of Brockton, Mass.; Geo. L., New Port Richey; J. Gordon, St. Petersburg. New Port Richey Press, Feb. 27, 1942.

MCMICKLE, CARL EDWARD "ED," 69, New Port Richey, died Friday (Nov. 4, 2005) at Marliere Care Center, New Port Richey. He came here in 1939 from Valdosta, Ga. He was a retired Master Sergeant in the Army Corps of Engineers with 22 years of service, a Vietnam veteran, a bell captain at Innisbrook, and was Christian. He attended Tarpon Spring Elementary and Gulf High School. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Joan; three daughters, Lisa McClure, Holiday, Laurie Easley, Hoover, Ala., and Lorna Fogg, New Port Richey; a brother, Walt McMickle; a sister, Paat Hamill, Tarpon Springs; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, Hudson.

MERCER, MARGARET M., 81, of New Port Richey, died Tuesday (Oct. 16, 2001) at Southern Pines Nursing Center in New Port Richey. She came here in 1971 from her native Chicago. She retired as a teacher from Gulf High School in New Port Richey. She was a graduate of Northeastern Illinois State University with a master's in English Literature and was an honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa. She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Survivors include a son, George Barkes, Webbers Falls, Okla.; two daughters, Dorothy Kathan, McHenry, Ill., and Susan Huju, Bigfork, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, New Port Richey.

MERCOGLIANO, MICHAEL J., 15, of New Port Richey, died Wednesday (Feb. 5, 1997) at home. He was born in Dunedin and was a student at Gulf High School. Survivors include his mother, Cindy, New Port Richey; his father and stepmother, Michael and Kathy Mercogliano, Miami; a brother, Paul Nobles, New Port Richey; a sister, Dina, New Port Richey; his paternal grandmother, Connie Gene, Cooper City; and his maternal grandmother, Era Tucker, Trenton. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Bartelt Road Chapel, Holiday.

MOREA, ROSE M. "BUDGIE," 73, of New Port Richey, died Monday (June 26, 2006) in the Madison Pointe Nursing Center New Port Richey. Born in New York City, she came here in 1988 from Hazlet, N.J. She was a former cafeteria worker at Gulf High School of New Port Richey with 17 years of service. She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband of more than 50 years, Joseph; a son, David, Riverview; two daughters, Diane Noyes, New Port Richey, and Debbie Brennan, Keansburg, N.J.; two brothers, Salvatore Policastri, Hudson, and Joseph Policastri, North Vale, N.J.; five sisters, Helen Shade, Kempton, Pa.; Madeline Daly and Joyce Sellars, both of Bethlehem, Pa.; Dolores Dickens and Margaret Zambrano, both of Spring Hill; and seven grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, New Port Richey.

MORGAN, FRANK L. "BUD," 75, of New Port Richey, died Thursday (Oct. 9, 2003) at home while under the care of the Hernando Pasco Hospice. Born in Louisville, he came to Florida in 1970 from Raton, N.M. He was a retired mechanic employed by Fairway Nissan and Sun Toyota. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He was an associate pastor at the New Life Family Church. Survivors include his wife, Malissa; five daughters, Cindi Morgan and Carrie Brooks, both of New Port Richey; Denise Daniels, Bartlesville, Okla.; Linda Zissou, Thousand Oaks, Calif.; and Mimi Kelly, Broken Arrow, Okla.; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey. [Mr. Morgan's granddaughter, Malissa Brooks (GHS '02) writes that her grandfather was in the class of 1945, and that he died of lung cancer. She says he was proud that he played on the Gulf High football team that made it to the championship. He was born on Nov. 22, 1927.]

MUSSATT, SHAVONNE. Shavonne R. Sloan, 41, of 12 Letchworth St., Owasco, died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at her home. Born in Memphis, Tenn, she was the daughter of Thomas and Vicki Mussatt. She was a graduate of New Port Richey High School in Florida and the University of Florida with a B.A. degree in English. She was employed as a teachers aide by BOCES and also worked part-time at the Skaneateles Country Club. Shavonne was a communicant of SS. Peter & John Episcopal Church, was active in the PTA at Owasco Elementary School, and a Junior Achievement volunteer. Surviving are her husband, Christopher R. Sloan; two daughters, Gillian Sara and Kira Elyse Sloan, both of Owasco; her parents, Thomas Mussatt of California and Vicki Pratt of Atlanta, Ga.; one sister, Monica Malchow of North Carolina; and a stepsister and stepbrother. Visiting hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 7, at the Langham Funeral Home LLC, 75 E. Genesee St. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in SS. Peter & John Episcopal Church, 169 Genesee St., with the Rev. Douglas Taylor-Weiss officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Fleming. The family has requested the omission of flowers. A fund has been established for the education of Christopher and Shavonne's two children. Donations may be made c/o Nancy Sloan, 115 N. Seward Ave., Auburn, NY 13021. [GHS '83, from the Auburn (N. Y.) Citizen]

NEPTUNE, CAMERON G., 21, of Inverness, died Monday (April 30, 2007) in Palatka. He moved to Inverness in 1993 from Ashland, Ohio. A resident in New Port Richey from 2002 to 2005, he attended Gulf High School of New Port Richey and was a member of the wrestling team. He had been an assistant coach for Citrus Free Style Wrestling Club. Survivors include his mother, Dayle K. Neptune, and his father, Cary D. Neptune, both of Inverness; a sister, Rene Neptune, Pasadena, Calif.; three brothers, Cary Neptune II, Palatka, Cellin Neptune and Cody Neptune, both of Inverness; maternal grandparents, David Pearson, Palmetto, and Sondra Cornett, Tampa; and paternal grandmother, Anna Mae Leist, Millersburg, Ohio. Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation, Inverness.

O'DELL, CHRISTOPHER JOHN, 26, of Mobile, Ala., formerly of Holiday, died Wednesday (Feb. 23, 2000) at home in Mobile. Born in Newton, N.J., he came here from Norfolk, Va., and moved to Mobile, where he was stationed for a year. He was active in the Coast Guard, a 1992 graduate of Gulf High School and was a trumpet player. He graduated from the Pasco County Criminal Justice Academy. Survivors include his parents, Stanley J. and Charlet M. O'Dell, Holiday; and a grandmother, Ida Belle Parker, Holiday. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Bartelt Road Chapel, Holiday.

OLIVO, VICTOR A. JR., 22, of Port Richey, died Monday (July 4, 2005) in Hudson. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came here 11 years ago from Miami and was a cook. He was a 2001 graduate of Gulf High School and a band member. He was Catholic. Survivors include his mother, Elisabeth Olmo, and a brother, Matthew Stolaski, both of Port Richey; two sisters, Shannon Olivo, New York City, and Mercedes Stolaski, Port Richey; maternal grandfather, Jose Olmo, New Port Richey; maternal grandmother, Luz Olmo, Brooklyn; five uncles and two aunts. Michels and Lundquist Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

PFEFFER, FRANK A. SR., 80, of New Port Richey, died Tuesday (Sept. 10, 2002) at home. Born in Washington, D.C., he came here in 1970 from Michigan. He had been a sociology and history teacher at Gulf High School. He was an Air Force veteran and served in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was treasurer of the Air Force Association, a member of Association of Former Intelligence Officers, and was a member of Special Military Active and Retired Travelers. He was Catholic. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; two sons, Frank A. Pfeffer Jr., Hudson, and Lawrence, Japan; two daughters, Mary Frances Osborne, New Port Richey, and Nancy Miller, Dunedin; a brother, William, Arkansas; two sisters, Mary Wendorf, Waco, Texas, and Florence Mouton, Lafayette, La.; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. North/Meadowlawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, New Port Richey.

PHILLIPS, ELIZABETH ANN "LIZ," 56, of Holiday, died Monday (Nov. 21, 2005) at home. Born in New York City, she came here 32 years ago from Paramus, N.J. She was a data entry clerk at Gulf High School, New Port Richey, with seven years service and was an employee for the Pasco County School System for 11 years. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Holiday, past president and member of the Cotee River Lions Club, and a member of the Suncoast Girl Scout Council, New Port Richey, where she was a troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 747. Survivors include her husband, Charles L.; two daughters, Suzanne E. and Charlene L., both of Holiday; two sisters, Elaine Wholey, Booten, N.J., and Frances Fishsketta, Virginia Beach, Va.; and one grandson. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Bartelt Road Chapel, Holiday.

QUARTERS, VIRGINIA. Teen who had pioneering lupus treatment dies. Virginia Quarters, who was the first person to undergo experimental bone marrow transplant surgery as a treatment for lupus, died Thursday (Dec. 20, 2001) at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. She was 18. Virginia had the bone marrow transplant in October at All Children's. Doctors hoped that it would help her lupus, a disease that causes the immune system to attack internal organs. Her struggle was described in a St. Petersburg Times story that month. Virginia started having seizures as a teen, and her behavior became erratic, said her mother, Charann Quarters. The lupus caused her immune system to attack her brain, which caused a number of neurological disorders and other health problems. "When they said that lupus attacks the inner organs, we thought the liver, we thought the kidneys," Virginia's mother said in October. "We never thought of the brain." On Friday, Quarters said that her daughter had been in intensive care at All Children's since Nov. 6 and on life support since Nov. 9. Virginia graduated with honors from Gulf High School in May. She had been taught at home. Survivors include her parents, Henry and Charann; a sister, Chrystal Lynn Masters (who was Virginia's bone marrow donor), New Port Richey; her paternal grandmother, Margaret Quarters, Holiday; and her maternal grandmother, Grace Greene, Altamonte Springs. St. Petersburg Times, Dec. 22, 2001.

RAPISARDA, LOUIS W., 27, of New Port Richey, died Monday (Sept. 14, 1998). Born in Hempstead, N.Y., he came here 16 years ago from Islip, N.Y. He was a cook for Bally Hoos Restaurant, Tarpon Springs, and was Catholic. He was a 1990 graduate of Gulf High School. Survivors include a companion, Tracy Groshans, New Port Richey; a son, Robert W., New Port Richey; his mother and stepfather, Phyllis and Carl Doughtie, New Port Richey; a sister, Lauren Ann, New Port Richey; and his maternal grandmother, Madeline Tommolino, New Port Richey.

REDFERN, Jessica, 21, of New Port Richey, died May 5. She is survived by her loving family. Morgan Funeral Home. Two hit by Spring Hill driver; one dies. A woman was killed and a man severely injured Monday night after they walked into the path of a car on U.S. 41 near Bowman Road, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Jessica E. Redfern, 22, and Brian J. Stover, 21, crossed the highway about 11 p.m. They were hit by a 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by Andre L. Storr, 29, of 13815 Blythewood Drive in Spring Hill. Redfern, of 4150 Las Vegas Drive in New Port Richey, died at the scene. Stover, of 5410 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where he remained in fair condition Tuesday. The driver was not at fault because Redfern and Stover crossed into his path, said FHP Trooper Larry Coggins. Redfern's relatives declined to talk to a Times reporter Tuesday. A woman at Redfern's home said Redfern and Stover had been dating for about a year. [St. Petersburg Times, May 7, 2008. Jessica was in the Class of 2006.]

RICHEY, GWYNETTE W., 94, of Clearwater, died Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2007) at Morningside Assisted Living Facility, Charlottesville , Va. She came here in 1954 from St. Louis. She worked 50 years as an educator, most recently at Gulf High School, New Port Richey. She was the former director of the YWCA, Clearwater, was assistant director of summer recreation programs for the city of Clearwater, and for 20 years was in charge of the Pinellas County Youth Bowling League. She was a member of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, Safety Harbor. She enjoyed competitive roller skating, playing bingo and traveling throughout the 50 states and was an outdoor enthusiast. She collected stamps, coins and sports cards. Survivors include two sons, Skip, Lakeland, and Robert, Oldsmar; a daughter, Gwynette Wu , Seymour, Tenn.; two brothers, Claude Willis, Boise, Idaho, and Norman Willis, Keswick, Va.; 10 grandchildren; four nephews; and a niece; and Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home, Clearwater.

ROBISON, RONALD R. SR., 59, of Port Richey, died Monday (April 18, 1994) at home. Born in Louisville, Ky., he came here 20 years ago from Niantic-Harristown, Ill. He was a teacher and a coach for the Boys and Girls Cross Country Team and the Girls Varsity Basketball Team at Gulf High School, New Port Richey. He was a Marine veteran of the Korean War, a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, and the Elks Lodge 2286, both of New Port Richey. He was the Pasco County teacher of the year in 1977-1978. Survivors include his wife, Shirley; two sons, Ronald Jr., Fort Bliss, Texas, and Ricci, Dayton, Ohio; two daughters, Rhonda, Fort Campbell, Ky., and Robin, Tampa; a brother, Larry, Dade City; a sister, Bonita Owens, Jonesboro, Tenn.; and six grandchildren. Faupel Funeral Home, Port Richey.

ROHDE, RONALD WILLIAM. Swinging a supposedly unloaded .38 caliber revolver on his finger, "cowboy fashion," Charles Robert Simms, 20, yesterday morning accidentally shot and killed his friend, Ronald William Rohde, 16, of West Palm Avenue. Rohde, son of Mr. and Mrs. Meredith Rohde, had asked his friend if he could buy the gun, which belonged to Simms' father, Robert Simms. Simms said his father did not want to sell the gun, but Rohde wanted to "see it." Simms was showing him the gun when it accidentally went off, officials said. Dr. R. G. Sprankel said that death was immediate. The bullet entered high on the right side of the chest and was deflected downward, probably severing a major artery near the heart. Ironically, the gun had been in the Simms, house for years and had always been unloaded. Two weeks ago, the elder Simms, being alone in the house, loaded it. His son, in Miami at the time, was unaware that the gun had been loaded. According to Justice of the Peace David Dowling and Constable Joe Fraddosio, the gun is in such condition that they have been unable either to cock or fire it, and they cannot understand how it was fired unless the one shot wrecked the firing mechanism. The David Black Chapel, New Port Richey, is in charge of funeral arrangements. [St. Petersburg Times, 1953]

RIENDEAU, RAYMOND S., 61, of Port Richey, died Friday (May 25, 2007) at Community University Hospital, Tampa. Born in Stockton, Calif., he moved here in 1958 from Dallas, Ore. He was a carpenter and delivery driver for the former Cox Lumber Supply Co., working out of Land O'Lakes. He was a 1964 graduate of Gulf High School. He was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and the recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was Roman Catholic. Survivors include his mother, Audrey Riendeau, Port Richey; and two uncles, Rene Riendeau, Clarkston, Wash., and Wilfred Riendeau, Virden Manitoba, Canada. North Meadowlawn Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

ROSSI, GRACE IVA, 91, of New Port Richey, died Saturday (Sept. 13, 2003) at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in New Port Richey. Born in Port Richey, she was a lifetime resident of Pasco County. She owned Rossi's Sunset Diner at U.S. 19 and State Road 52 at Bayonet Point from 1950 to 1968. She was a life member of the West Pasco Historical Society and was a member of Baker House Restoration Program. She was a member of the Florida State Genealogical Society and was awarded several Florida County Pioneer Descendant Certificates. She was Methodist. Survivors include her son, Earl Jack Bates Jr., New Port Richey; a sister, Frances Mallett, Port Richey; a granddaughter, Elena "Laney" LeCompte, Hudson; a grandson, Earl Jack Bates III, Midland, Texas; four great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, New Port Richey.

ROWE, SGT. MICHAEL DAVID "MIKE," 23, of New Port Richey, died Tuesday (March 28, 2006) in Iraq. He came here 15 years ago from his native Buffalo, N.Y. He was serving in the Army 46 Engineer Battalion Warrior Brigade, Rahmadi, Iraq. He was a sergeant and petroleum supply specialist stationed at Fort Polk, La., before being deployed to Iraq on Oct. 21, 2005. He was Christian, a graduate of the Class of 2001 from Gulf High School, and a member of the VFW Post 4412. Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Rowe, New Port Richey; his parents, David E. and Marcy L. Rowe, New Port Richey; three sisters, Megan E. Rowe, New Port Richey, Kellie Hess and Danielle Sumner-Rowe, both of Plantation; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Congress Street Chapel, New Port Richey.

RUSHING, REBECCA L. "BECKI," 31, of Hudson, died Thursday (May 13, 1993) at HCA Bayonet Point/Hudson Medical Center. She came here 19 years ago from her native Chicago. She was a graduate of Gulf High School. Survivors include her father, Jim, New Port Richey; her mother, Carol Ehrke, Hudson; two brothers, Jim Rushing, Las Vegas, Nev., and Jon Ehrke, Hudson; two sisters, Laura Stubbs, Port Richey, and Dawn Brensinger, Las Vegas; and two maternal grandmothers, Madolyn Retherford, Hudson, and Irene Retherford, West Palm Beach. Arlington Funeral Home, Port Richey.