Untitled Document

Charles W. LaRoche, Jr.
Charlie

Nov. 10, 1927 - April 7, 2010

Charles W. LaRoche, Jr., known to many as Charlie and to his family as Pop, passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at the age of 82. His recovery from open heart surgery in March, was interrupted by insurmountable complications. He joins his beloved wife, Beverly, in eternity. Born in Merritt Island and a pioneer of Brevard County, he served in many capacities in the community including Cocoa High School football, umpiring softball, and owner of Brevard Sporting Goods. His involvement with USSSA spans many years and afforded him many friends. He was inducted into the USSSA Hall of Fame in 2001. He attended Florida State University the first year FSU went coed and was a passionate fan throughout his life. He was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Cocoa. He is survived by his four children, Charles W. LaRoche III and his wife, Judy of Rockledge, Stewart LaRoche and his wife, Vicki, of Lawrenceville, GA, Sarah Strunk of Rockledge, and Robert LaRoche of Merritt Island. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and five great- grandchildren.

Charlie served as Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Cocoa for many, many years and was a devoted Rotarian fro 52 years. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Col. Perry L. Huie

May 24, 2009

Cocoa Rotary
1977-2009

Perry graduated with an undergraduate degree in engineering and a master's in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois. He received initial training as a pilot in the Stearman PT-13 at Arcadia, Florida, and served as a pilot and squadron commander in World War II with the 95th Bombardment Group (H) of the 8th Air Force in England. He also served in the Korean conflict and with the postwar occupation forces in Japan. He continue to serve at the Pentagon and as an engineer with the Electronic Systems Division of the Air Research and Development Command.

After retiring from the Air Force, Perry became a broker with Merrill Lynch at the Cocoa and Merritt Island offices.

A memorial will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Cocoa at 11 am on Saturday, May 30th. Graveside services will be at Arlington Memorial Cemetery at 1 pm on Monday, August 17, 2009, where he will be interned with his wife, Peggy and son, Chris.

Bob Buffmire
Cocoa Rotary President 1988-89
Passed away 2/7/2006

William Vincent Barber
Vince

April 22, 1928 - January 10, 2006

Cocoa Rotary President
1963-64

Vince was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia on April 22, 1928. He was the only child of Dr. William Barber and his wife, Billie Barnes Barber. He attended William and Mary and was the owner of Barnes and Barber Heating and Air Conditioning until his retirement in 1991.

He was a Korean War veteran and had a long time commitment to civic affairs. He has been an active member of the Cocoa Rotary since 1957 and was a current board member of the Cocoa Elks' Lodge.

He is survived by his wife, Gwynne, his daughter Ginger Barber Nash, grandson Christopher Nash; son William Vincent Barber, Jr. (Bill), wife Margaret, granddaughter Elizabeth; son Curtis Raybon Barber, wife Karley, granddaughters Kendra and Lauren; stepdaughter Meredy Decker, husband Gary, and granddaughter Abbie.

A memorial service was held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2005, at St. Marks Episcopal Church in Cocoa.

Captain Vince will be so missed by everyone whose life he touched. Always remember what he wanted to hear regarding attendance.

CROSSING THE BAR

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar
When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound or foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell
When I embark.

For though from out our bourne of time and place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my pilot fact to fact
When I have crossed the bar.

Richard M. Gramling

August 12, 1953 - June 8, 2005

Cocoa Rotary President 1998-99

Richard Madison Gramling, a lifetime resident of Brevard County, died peacefully at home, Wednesday morning, June 8th. Richard was born on August 12, 1953 at Wuesthoff Hospital. He grew up in Rockledge and Cocoa and graduated from Cocoa High School in 1972. Richard continued his education at the University of Florida in Gainesville and loved college football. He was a lifelong Gator fan.

In 1990, Richard became a licensed real estate agent. The following year, he received the Realtor of the Year Award from the Space Coast Area Board of Realtors. He went on yo earn his broker's license and specialize in commercial real estate. In 2001, he joined S&S Enterprises, Inc. where he worked until his death. He was Vice-President of Commercial Real Estate.

Richard loved his Indian River community and served it to the best of his ability. He was a member of the Cocoa Chapter of Rotary International for many years, held several offices including the presidency and became a Paul Harris Fellow. He chaired the City of Cocoa Board of Adjustments and the Board of Economic Development. He was a member of the Brevard County Board of Adjustments and the Procedures' Committee for the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. In recognition and appreciation of his service to the community, Brevard County has named a new park in his honor. The Richard M. Gramling Park will be on the new Brevard Zoo Trail.

An enthusiastic person with a great zest for life, he enjoyed many sports over the years, especially surfing and golf. He also raced motocross, shot skeet, hunted and fished, and watched college football, football, football. His sense of humor made him great fun to be with, and he planned something enjoyable for each day. Richard's laugh was infectious and unforgettable. He did his best to be honest and forthright, acting on his principles because he cared about people. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and a great friend.

In memory of Richard, donations may be made to the Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice at 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera Florida, 32940.

He will be sorely missed by his friends in the Rotary Club of Cocoa.

Donald T. Spore

1917- June 27, 2005

Donald T. Spore passed away peacefully on June 27, 2005, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born in East Ruthaford, Jew Jersey in 1917 and grew up in Voorheesville, New York. He graduated from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont in 1940, and Tufts' Dental School in 1943. He then entered the Navy and was a Lieutenant until 1945.

After moving to Cocoa to set up practice as the only dentist in town, he met and married Merry Boggs. During their 50 year marriage, they raised two daughters, and he practiced dentistry until retiring in 1987. He remained a member of the Cocoa Rotary for 50 years, attending meetings until he was unable to drive.

He is survived by his two daughters, Della (Skip) Cox and Clara (Fred) Schneider; his sister, Florence Oropollo and family in Jew Jersey; grandchildren Buddy, Brett, Loren, Taylor, and Ashley, and one great grandson, Blane; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the First United Methodist Church of Cocoa on Saturday, July 2, 2005, at 1 pm. Arrangements were made by Florida Memorial Funeral Home.