Monday, March 11, 2013

Agnes Marie Olah Thomas

Former Griffwood resident Agnes Thomas passed away February 24, 2013. She was born March 20, 1929 in Akron, Ohio. She graduated in 1966 from the Akron School of Practical Nursing and served three years as President of the Akron School of Practical Nursing Alumni Association. Agnes
worked 22 years as an LPN.
She moved to Florida in 1985 with her late husband Charles. Charlie passed away in 2008.
Agnes is survived by sons Douglas M. of Ocala, Thomas C. (Lynn) of Sanford, Joseph M. (Tracey) of Greenacres, and Terence E. (Patricia) of Lake Worth; daughter Margaret A. "Peggy" of Leesburg; 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandhildren.
A mass of Christian Burial was held February 28 at St. Paul's Catholic Church and interment followed at Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell. Donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778.

John G. Gammon

Griffwood lost one of its finest gentlemen patriots, John Gammon, February 3, 2013. John was born January 23, 1917 in Greenup County, Kentucky but spent most of his life in Pennsylvania. He was employed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Board for 35 years, and he was Township Supervisor and Township Treasurer of Elk Township, Clarion County for 21 years. He was recently inducted in the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors Hall of Fame for his long service.
John was a veteran of the U. S. Air Coprs and served in WWII. He was stationed in North Africa and Europe. He was a Christian and was a member of St. Mark's UCC, Monroe, Pennsylvania. He was married to Clara Best for 30 years until the time of her death in February 2002.
John was a life member of F&AM Lodge 58 in Leesburg; Scottish Rite Ocala; Bahia Shrine Orlando; and Lake County Shrine Club Tavares. He was also a life member of D. A. V. and life member of Federation of Mobile Home Owners of Florida.
Survivors include daughter Vicki I. Reed and her husband Randy, grandchildren Amber, Courtney and Dylan Reed, all of Guys Mills, Pennsylvania.
Griffwood residents will remember John for his willingness to help his neighbors, his patriotism, and his self-designed models made with matchsticks and toothpicks. He also gave away many, many wooden toast tongs, and we all loved them! He did a lot of walking in the park, and one day calculated that he had walked to Georgia and back.
Memorial and Masonic Services will be held Thursday, March 14, 2pm, at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel, Main Street, Leesburg. Interment will be in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Mark's UCC, Box 637, Knox PA 16232. Online condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Remembering Hambone


Terry Ray Hambleton ("Hambone") passed away on January 30, 2013. He was a Winter Resident and Board Member here in Griffwood. He was born February 8, 1941, in North Olmstead, Ohio. Hambone is survived by his wife of 53 years Alice and sons Kelly (Rosemary) and Terry (Sonia) and granddaughter Hillary Alice.
Hambone served his country as a U. S. Navy Sea Bee from 1959 to 1965. He retired after 34 years as a trouble lineman for First Energy. He was a member of American Legion Post 601 and the Geneva Eagles Club.
Hambone loved spending time with his family and friends. He also loved fishing, hunting, boating, fine cigars and wine. He was a great friend to all and regularly served behind the bar at Griffwood events. He also enjoyed playing pool and organized the Griffwood Pool Tournament.

Hambone will be missed by his family and his many friends.