COLE COPPOLA, 16, born Sept 25, 1998, passed away in the early morning hours of Sept 28th after a tragic accident in Vero Beach. Cole was the beloved son of Dr. Nicholas and Elaine Coppola and brother to sisters Melanie and Mary. He is survived by his grandparents, Pat and Mary Lou Ciambriello; his uncles, Dr. Christopher Coppola, Bob Sordelet, Tino Ciambriello and a multitude of loving family members.

He was a true friend to hundreds of fellow classmates and faculty at John Carroll High School and the fellowship at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Vero Beach and Saint Anastasia in Fort Pierce where he was an Altar Server.

His family wishes everyone to remember how fully Cole lived life rather than the way he died. His friends have set up #LiveLikeCole to honor Cole’s happy and joyful spirit.

His family knows Cole would not have wanted this to be a sad occasion but rather a celebration of the time he was able to spend with us until we see him again with God.

In life, Cole was able to heal other’s with his enveloping hugs and if he was here right now he would wrap his arms around all of those grieving to bring one more smile to their faces.

Cole’s optimism was a precious rarity in a teenager but he was blessed with a deep connection to his family, his faith and to many friends who have shown a continuous outpouring of support. His beautiful heart was a direct reflection on being raised by his devoted parents in a house full of love and happiness.

He was a sophomore, Junior Varsity football player #22 and on the track team at John Carroll High School. He was a member of Youth on a Mission with St. Helen’s Catholic Church and an avid fisherman who would play any sport just to be outdoors.

Cole also loved animals so much he even drafted his grandfather to volunteer at the Humane Society since he was not old enough to go on his own. He said he dreamed of one day being a veterinarian in practice with his sister who shared that passion with him.

There will be a memorial mass at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct 2nd at St. Anastasia Church hosted by John Carroll High School.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 5th, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Strunk Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m. Monday, October 6th at St. Helen’s Catholic Church. Celebrants are asked to wear bright orange and pink to honor Cole’s favorite colors.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society of Indian River County, St. Helen’s Youth on a Mission or any agency which gives cares to animals. (10/1/14)

 

MICHAEL K. HARVEY (MIKE) went home on September 26, 2014. He was born February 4, 1959 in Vero Beach, FL.

Survivors include wife,Cynthia sons, Michael and Daniel Harvey(Natashia), stepchildren, Amber Drane(Martin) and Joshua Gregory, mother, Ruth Harvey, brothers, Steve and Paul(Val)5 grandchildren and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 from 6-8PM at the Freedom/Immanuel Church-455 58th Ave SW, Vero Beach. Lowther Funeral Home (10/2/14)

 

KENNETH J. WHALEN of Dorset, Vermont and Vero Beach, Florida, died September 29, 2014 in Vero Beach after a brief illness. He was born in Whitehall, N.Y. in 1923. An accomplished athlete, he attended Whitehall High School, Dartmouth College and graduated from Union College in 1949. He was a member of the 1949 Eastern College All Star football team which defeated the New York Giants in the 11th annual Fresh Air Fund Game.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Stockdale, a destroyer escort which saw action in the North Atlantic and Pacific theaters, and participated in the search for Amelia Earhart. He retired from AT&T in 1984 as an Executive Vice President after a 34 year career in the Bell Telephone Company. He served on the boards of a number of companies, including Warner Lambert, American Motors, Manulife and Core Industries.

He and his wife of 65 years, Bette Whalen, were active supporters of numerous civic, charitable and academic organizations, including Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. and Long Trail School in Dorset, Vermont. A lifelong Catholic, he worshipped at The Church of the Holy Cross in Vero Beach and at St. Paul’s in Manchester, Vermont. He was a Knight of Malta.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bette Whalen, and their oldest son, Richard J. Whalen. Survivors include daughter Jean Carosi of Newburyport, MA.; sons Dan Whalen of Rockport, MA and Tom Whalen of McKinney, TX; grandsons Derek Carosi of Denver, CO., Brendan Carosi of Malta, N.Y., John Whalen of London, England and Tim Whalen of NY, NY, and granddaughters Kate Whalen-Vuylsteke of Wemmel, Belgium and Eileen Partridge of Madison, WI. He also leaves five great grandchildren.

Interment will be at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Whitehall, N. Y. (10/2/14)