ANTHONY P. CARRANO, 59, of Vero Beach, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Friday, August 1, 2014 from battling cancer for 6 months. He had lived in Norwalk, CT for most of his life and has lived in Vero Beach, FL for the past 19 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Neil and Tess Carrano, a brother, Neil Carrano, Jr. and a great-grandson, Jaiden. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Carrano; son, Shaun Bratsenis; 2 daughters, Dodie Ledford and Melanie Bratsenis; 5 grandchildren, Brandon, Ryan, Laura-Nicole and Tyler; 3 great-grandchildren, Kayleigh, Jacelyn and Aaliyah.
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and a best friend to everyone that knew him. He will be greatly missed by all.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2014 from 5PM to 8PM at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL. Condolences may be shared at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com. (8/4/14)
MARY HELEN GUPTON HAZEL died peacefully August 1, 2014 at Dixie Oak Manor in Vero Beach, Florida at the age of 95. She was born in 1918 in Henderson, North Carolina. Mary was the second child of Sarah and Percy Gupton of Louisburg, North Carolina. She grew up in Henderson, but left there in her early twenties to move to West Palm Beach, Florida, where she found a secretarial position and also volunteered at the USO. It was in West Palm Beach that she met her future husband, now deceased, Robert H. “Pat” Hazel, who had just returned from serving in World War II at Guadalcanal. After meeting and dating for almost a year, Pat moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a degree in Journalism. Shortly thereafter, Mary, deeply in love, followed Pat to California where they were married December 7, 1946. Their first child, Daniel Todd, was born in 1947.
Mary and Pat moved to Vero Beach in 1949 where Pat went to work for the Press Journal and Mary was a stay-at-home mom. Their second child, Mary Ann, was born in 1950 in Henderson, North Carolina where Mary had traveled to care for her ailing mother. Two more children followed: David Wirt, born in Vero in 1953, and Robert Mark, born in Vero in 1960.
During her early years in Vero Beach, Mary made extra money for the family by crafting handmade doll clothes to sell. Mary became very active in local activities in Vero Beach joining the Vero Beach Junior Women’s Club, the local Garden Club, and the First Baptist Church. She will best be remembered for her achievements with the Vero Beach Build Freedom with Youth project, for which she was chairwoman. The group raised over $25,000 to build two parks including playground equipment, picnic tables and grills, bathrooms, hard-surfaced courts, seating and lights, in Gifford, Florida. They also formed a Garden Club for the black women in Gifford, which assisted in the beautification of the parks. Additionally, they were also responsible for starting a pre-natal clinic in Gifford. In 1963, the project, which included 35 separate projects, won second place in the National Freedom Foundation Community Service Awards. Mary traveled to Miami to receive the award which was televised on WTVJ.
Mary went to work for the Indian River Sheriff’s Department in 1963. She eventually became the head of the records division, and in 1983 received the distinct honor of becoming the department’s first woman lieutenant. Said Sheriff Tim Dobeck, “It’s refreshing that I do not have to worry because I know that Mary is doing it right.” She retired from the Sheriff’s Department in 1985. Her husband, Pat, died nine years later in 1994.
Though Mary lived alone for the next 17 years, her house was always full of family, children and grandchildren, and friends. In 2011, she was moved to an assisted living facility where she lived out the remainder of her days. Her family will remember her for her gentle and loving spirit, her love of the Lord, and her ability to always find good in everyone and every situation.
Mary is survived by her son, D. Todd Hazel of Sevierville, TN; daughter, Mary Ann Maney of Seattle, WA, and granddaughter Cristi Ledford, husband Mike Ledford, and great granddaughter, Sarah Ledford of Mars Hill, NC; grandson Chipper Maney, wife Kelsie Maney, and great grandson, Wilder Christie of Seattle, WA; son, David W. Hazel, wife Debbie Hazel, grandson Ben Hazel, wife, Crissy Hazel and great grandchildren Matthew, Isabelle, and Brayden; grandson Brett Hazel; son R. Mark Hazel, and wife Kathy Hazel; granddaughter Meredith Hazel Greer, husband Tyrone Greer; and grandson Alex Hazel.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on August 9, 2014 at Strunk Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach. A guestbook is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com (8/4/14)
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