Hugh McFadden

 

Hugh  J. McFadden

Hugh J. "Irish" McFadden passed away February 8, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born November 29, 1934, in Philadelphia. He was in the United States Army from November 16, 1954 - December 7, 1956. Hugh loved doing crafts, and he and Kas went to many craft fairs displaying wooden Santa Clauses, pop guns and all kinds of Christmas, Easter and Halloween crafts. Hugh attended St. Paul Catholic Church, Leesburg.

Hugh is survived by his beloved wife Kas, daughters Doreen Turner, Kathy Cameli, Terry Barner, Jeannie Boyd, Debbie Lyons, Denise Hughes, son David Lovett, 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
At his service in Pennsylvania, Hugh was eulogized by son-in-law Ben Turner, and, with permission from his family, we are printing the loving tribute here:
"My father in-law was born on November 29, 1934 to a large Irish Catholic family. He was the eldest son of 8 children and is fondly remembered as a very loving and generous brother who never fought with anyone.
After graduating from Northeast Catholic High School, Hughie joined the Army and proudly served his country.

Hughie and Kas met in 1949, but they didn’t have their first date until 1976. That was the year his best friend Eddie, Kas’ brother moved in with Kas and her seven children. Hughie decided to visit Eddie and as usual Kas was not at home. However, Eddie mentioned she worked at Strawbridge’s, so he decided to stop by the store to say, 'Hello'.

You can image his surprise when Katherine Windrim turned around and it was Kas’ 20 year old daughter, Kathy, not the woman he was searching for. Kathy remembered to tell her Mom that a man came to the store looking for her; unfortunately she couldn’t remember his name. Hughie was never one to give up easily, so when he finally caught up with Kas, they had that first date on Friday, August 13th. Exactly one year later, Hughie and Kas were married and he became a first-time husband, father and grandfather at the age of 42.
My father in-law was a hardworking and dedicated family man.  He loved his family and was deeply devoted to Kas, their children and grandchildren.  During their 35 year marriage, they did everything together from square dancing in Denmark and Russia, to clogging in the Mummer’s Parade.  Whether it was crafts, camping, or helping Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, they enjoyed life together with family and friends.

 

 

 

Hugh had a special relationship with his nieces and nephews. His great nieces and nephews thought that Uncle Hugh and Aunt Kas lived in Disney World as visiting them was part of their vacation. They always met at the park so there was a good chance they actually lived there with Mickey Mouse.
On my first visit to Pennsylvania and only the second time I had ever spoken to him, I asked for his permission to marry Doreen. With his arms crossed and smirk on his face, he leaned forward and asked, “Are you sure you want to do that?” The truth is becoming a part of this family was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Losing my father-in-law was one of the most difficult things our family has ever experienced.

He touched the lives of so many and I realize how fortunate we are to have known him. There are no words to express his influence in our lives. It is through his example that the family learned about determination, faith, and integrity.

Hughie was a man of many talents. He loved tending to his garden, feeding the chickens and was an avid pool player. While battling cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he still managed to shoot and win a few games of pool each week. He showed strength and love right up until his last days with us. His presence will be missed, but his spirit will forever live in our hearts."

 

 

 

 

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.

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.

William D. Hill

Mr. William D. Hill (Bill), Griffwood Winter Resident, passed away February 11, 2013. Bill was born November 23, 1923, and lived in Versailles, Indiana, all his life. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Norma Lee, and he is survived by daughter Jennifer (Bartlow) McKaufsky and husband Greg and daughter Christina Grossman. Bill was grandfather to six grandchildren and two step-grandchildren and great grandfather to one great grandchild and one step-great grandchild.

Bill served in the U. S. Army, 78th Infantry Division, Wire and Telephone. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, Osgood, Indiana.

Bill retired in 1982 from Jefferson Proving Ground, U. S. Army, ammunition testing facility in Madison, Indiana, where he was a Supervisor of all roads and grounds on the base.

Bill's early work years were spent as a carpenter with his dad and brother. Throughout his life he enjoyed working with wood and made many beautiful pieces of furniture including grandfather clocks, curio cabinets, dressers, dish cabinets, tables, roll-top desk and many toys for his grandchildren. He also worked for Nestle, and he owned Hill Monument Company in Versailles for many years.

He took up golfing in his retirement and would golf with his brother four - five times a week. He even scored a hole-in-one! But his true love was fishing. He would go fishing with his brother John daily - even twice daily sometimes - on the Versailles State Park lake; and he loved going out on Lake Griffin.

Bill was Past Commander Versailles American legion Post 173, a member of Moose Lodge, Lions Club and Versailles Volunteer Fire Department.

Jim and Pat Billups are shown here with Norma and Bill.

Jennifer, mom and dad Norma and Bill and Christina

April In Griffwood

Happy Easter Everyone!
My bouganvilla :(((

My neighbor's bouganvilla :)))

Belgian Waffles anyone?

Nancy (enjoying the Boat Club Breakfast) is doing so great!

Folks sittin' and chattin' at the Boat Club Breakfast

Dock side repairs

They're doing a great job!

Mornings are lovely @ Griffwood!

St. Patrick's Day

That's Jake there in the middle. He was in charge of the cooking - and he and his team did a marvelous job of it!

It takes a ton of carrots, potatoes, cabbage and corned beef to feed the 80+ folks who came for dinner! Bill, Daisy, Sandy, Peg and Ada are hard at work!

Bill is busy getting the table numbers drawn so we can eat.

The food was delicious!

Hugh and Kas enjoyed the evening.

The cake was yummy!

And we were all thrilled that Nancy came to the dinner 'cause three days earlier she had brain surgery. She looks great and is recovering beautifully!