Obituaries: January 29, 2014

Wayne E. Dorsett passed away on January 27, 2014 at Indian River Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on March 31, 1923 in Kirklin, Indiana. Wayne spent most of his younger life growing up in the mid west. He attended Alma College in Alma, Michigan, where he played football and participated on the Debate Team. Wayne joined the Army Air Corps during World War II and trained at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. He was a pilot in the 493rd Bombardment Group flying over thirty missions. Wayne continued his support, commitment and communication with the Fighting Squadron in Savannah, Georgia. After the war, he was hired by Johnson and Johnson. Wayne started his career with Johnson and Johnson as a sales representative. He often laughed and said “ I sold Band-Aids”. Wayne’s career eventually took him to the headquarters in New Brunswick, New Jersey where he became an Executive Vice President with the Consumer Products Division. He met his beloved wife, Evie in Detroit, Michigan at McKenzie High School. They were married in April 1944 and remained married until Evie’s death in 2012. They had three beautiful daughters. Wayne was involved with many charities. He ran the Jim Rochelle Memorial Golf Tournament at The Bay Hill Club in Orlando, Florida. Wayne was an active member of Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, New Jersey where he developed his passion for golf. Wayne continued his love for the game after he and Evie discovered John’s Island in 1975. He frequently played golf at John’s Island and Bent Pine Golf Club. Wayne was also a member of the Vero Beach Yacht Club in Vero Beach. After retiring to John’s Island, Wayne was involved in many committees and eventually became president of the John’s Island Property Management Group. He also enjoyed playing cards with his friends and always looked forward to spending time with his family. Wayne was a member of the Community Church of Vero Beach. Surviving are two daughters and sons in law, David and Janet Gallagher of Atlanta, Georgia and Vero Beach, Florida and Doug and Jody Pearce of Jupiter, Florida; nine grandchildren, Traci Smith, Scott Lees, Daryl Davenport, Gretchen Evans, David Gallagher, Jr., Michael Chester, Christopher Chester, Matt Chester, Casey Pearce and thirteen great-grandchildren with two more on the way. Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane #1, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. A Memorial service will be held at the Community Church of Vero Beach on Friday January 31st at 10:30am followed by a reception at The Beach Club at John’s Island.http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (1/29/14)

Celeste Virginia Moffa, 98, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2014. A private family service will be held. Cox, Gifford Seawinds (1/29/14)

Hugh Patrick O’Brien, Jr, 59 died peacefully at the Hospice House on Monday, January 27, 2014 following a 4-month battle with lung cancer. Hugh “Pat” is survived by his three siblings, Susanne M. O’Brien of Delray Beach, FL, Colleen O’Brien (Don) Smith of Madison, CT, and his brother John J. O’Brien and wife Kathleen Marsh of Roslindale, MA. In addition to his siblings, Pat leaves 5 nieces and nephews, Devin, Erin, Megan, Conor and Madeline and one great nephew, Thomas. Pat will be deeply missed by his family and many friends to whom he brought laughter, warmth, and love. Pat will always be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and gentle spirit. Playing his guitar and listening to music brought him peace and was enjoyed by many. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach, FL. Online condolences may be sent at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.

Frank J. Di Sesa, Jr. passed away on January 26, 2014, surrounded by his family at the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, FL after a long illness. He was born on July 9, 1932, in Stamford, CT to Marjorie and Connecticut’s Assistant Attorney General, Frank Di Sesa, Sr. After graduating The King School, he attended Dartmouth College and went on to serve in the Army Counter Intelligence Corps stationed in Germany. Upon his return to the United States after traveling the world, Frank had several options for a career. He followed his passion for art & design and graduated from the University of Bridgeport School of Engineering in Industrial Design. He began his career as an industrial designer at Union Carbide in NYC.
Along the way he obtained many patents for his designs, working for companies such as Cosco, Warwick & Sunbeam. He retired as the Vice President of Research & Development at Tucker Housewares in Leominster, Massachusetts. He was a renaissance man who played piano, painted and sculpted in his free time, creating beautiful pieces of artwork that live on today and hold very special meaning to his family. Frank is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy; by his son, Craig (Heather) of Ashland, VA and Christopher of Worcester, MA and daughters Dawn Bottomley (David) of Vero Beach, FL, Jennifer of Fitchburg, MA and Libby of Hoboken, NJ; grandchildren Vincent Bottomley, Meghan, Ian & Colin DiSesa. He was predeceased by his son-in-law Micheal McNulty-Di Sesa. He was a true patriarch. His unconditional love and sage advice will be greatly missed. Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A Celebration of Life will be 5 to 7 PM, Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be he at 1:30 PM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (1/29/14)

Mary Katherine “Kay” Solsberry, 88, of Vero Beach, passed away on January 8, 2014. Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home, Vero Beach, Florida http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com

Gary Youngberg, 62, of Vero Beach, FL, passed away on January 26, 2014. Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL http://coxgiffordseawinds.com (1/29/14)