Roy Batt, 80 – Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy on earth. That was the philosophy of Ray Batt of Vero Beach who died peacefully in the presence of family after a life well-lived at the age of 80 on August 16, 2013. Ray was born to lead. The first inkling came when he was elected president of his freshman class at Brooklyn Preparatory, a New York Jesuit institution where he graduated first in his class earning a scholarship to St. John’s University. During his lifetime, he served as president of numerous organizations including Bayview Community Hospital, Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics and Shirley, Moriches Rotary Health Camp for Handicapped Children, St. Jude’s RC Church parish council and the Brookhaven Town Civil Service Employees Association among others. As president of the Vista Gardens Condominium Association, he managed to give employees a long overdue raise and helped establish a fitness room while still reducing the monthly maintenance fees. He was also a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. While still a student at St. John’s School of Law where he served as editor of the law review, Ray ran for elective office as town trustee and in later years as justice of the peace and town supervisor. Widely respected, he served under both Democratic and Republican administrations on the Brookhaven Town Industrial Commission and as a special consultant to update the town’s assessment procedures.
Ray was a past district governor under Rotary International President Clem Renouff of Australia, and was a living example of its motto: “Service Above Self.” While attending law school during the day, he was a reporter at night for Newsday, a Long Island daily newspaper, and won awards for his cover stories on a polio scare on Fire Island. He was senior partner of the Shirley, NY, law firm of Batt and Messinetti. He often accepted vegetables and fish in lieu of legal fees. He strongly believed that making a difference was not only his calling but the duty of every attorney. His volunteer efforts in producing and directing a television series on “Law for the Layman” earned him wide recognition and awards from the Suffolk County Bar Association. Though engaged in general practice, his specialty included municipal law as he served as school attorney for the William Floyd School District and as counsel for the Mastic Beach Fire District and the Center Moriches Public Library. He was particularly proud of his role as special counsel to Dowling College in the establishment of the first National Aviation and Transportation Center, overcoming obstacles on the federal, state, county and town levels. Ray’s counsel was also widely sought by numerous homeowner associations including the Lake Ronkonkoma Heights Beach Association, Shirley Taxpayers Association, Mastic Beach Property Owners Association, Shirley Civic Association and the Newport Beach Association of East Moriches. Every day Ray talked about how blessed he was, with a devoted wife and family of whom he was extremely proud, for his wide circle of friends and for the enjoyment of working with a myriad of organizations and people to make his community and his profession better for others. When he retired and moved to Vero Beach in 1994, he said: “If you can’t be a millionaire, you might as well live like one.” He was an avid golfer and sports photographer whose work appeared in several magazines and newspapers. He played the role of a congressman in “Murdered Innocense,” a movie directed by Frank Coraci. He joked that all of his lines except for about one minute wound up on the cutting room floor. He is survived by his wife of more than 51 years, Patricia Ann, and by four children: Raymond Batt Jr. (Lisa) of Canton, MI; Teresa Komendowski (John) of Mahopac, NY; John Batt (Christine) of Ho-ho-kus, NJ and Colleen Gill (Erick) of Fort Pierce, FL. He was Pop-Pop to 10 grandchildren. Though separated by miles, the family gathered together several times per year including on a cruise just last month to celebrate his 80th birthday. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests donations in Ray’s memory to:
Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, P.O. Box 677, Center Moriches, NY 11934
http://camppaquatuck.com/donate-summer-camp-non-profit-long-island.php
Family will receive friends from 5-7pm, Sunday, August 18, 2013 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory followed by a wake service at 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11am, Monday, August 19, 2013 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/18/13)
Raymond Carr Roberts, Jr. “Sonny”, 54, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away peacefully Friday, August 16, 2013 at his home. He was born December 18, 1958 in Little Rock, AR and had been a resident of Vero Beach for 10 years, coming from North Carolina and other various locations during his service in the United States Navy. Mr. Roberts retired from the United States Navy after serving 15 years. He later worked 5 years as a technology consultant prior to his retirement from the Department of Fish and Wildlife in Vero Beach. Sonny loved playing softball, trailblazing with his family and winning sweepstakes, which was quite frequent! He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Melissa Roberts; daughters, Shannon Miranda and Samantha Roberts; son, Samuel Roberts; parents, Raymond C., Sr. and Claudia Roberts; brother, Richard Roberts and 3 grandchildren, Noah, A.J., Sophia. He was predeceased by his sister, Rhonda Roberts. Family will receive friends 5-6 pm, Tuesday, August 20, 2013 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home with a memorial service to follow at 6pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA and Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. An online guestbook may be signed at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/18/13)
Alice Sullivan, 70, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on August 14, 2013. A visitation will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2013 with a service starting at 2:30 p.m. at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach. Cox Gifford Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (8/18/13)
James Wendell Thomas, 55, died August 15, 2013 at his home in Vero Beach. Wendell was born in Vero Beach and has been a life time resident. He was Co-owner of Thomas and Sons Tile, Inc., for 25 years and later became an associate with Strunk Funeral Home in Vero Beach and Sebastian. Wendell’s most recent employment was with Beech Annuals Nursery, Inc., Vero Beach where he was until his recent retirement. He was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Vero Beach Volunteer Ambulance Squad and a bonded Auxiliary Deputy with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Wendell was an avid wood worker and had many skills related to the construction industry. He was a member of Twentieth Avenue Church of God, Vero Beach. Survivors include wife of 31 years, Barbara Cooper Thomas of Vero Beach; daughters, Sarah Thomas Smith (Brian) and Lilianna Jewel Thomas both of Vero Beach; parents, Henry A. “Jr.” and Mary Lou Thomas of Vero Beach; brother, Henry D. Thomas (Kathy) of Mobile, AL, sister, Melody Thomas Franklin (Monty) of Killen, AL; a host of nieces and nephews; the beloved family dog, Buddy and his granddog, Mary Jane. Wendell was soon to be blessed as a grandfather to Rosalee Brianne Smith. Wendell loved his family and was loved by his family. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, August 18, 2013 at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A celebration of Wendell’s life will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2013 at the Twentieth Avenue Church of God with Rev. Jerry D. Shepherd officiating. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Cemetery, Vero Beach. http://www.strunkfunereralhome.com (8/18/13)
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