Group 2

Honoring Richard "Rich" Simone

Rich Simone loved his island paradise and the local characters who befriended him. Key West Credits as Director and/or Designer: FOLLIES IN CONCERT, GUYS & DOLLS and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT for the Key West Pops, NO CHILD, THE GRADUATE and DINNER WITH FRIENDS at the Waterfront Playhouse, SHOWTUNE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and BATBOY: THE MUSICAL at the Red Barn, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA and SOUTH PACIFIC for Island Opera Theatre, . Richs award winning work was recognized on the mainland and included: POPCORN (Carbonell Nomination, Curtain Up Award/Best Scenic Design), THE GOAT (Carbonell Award, Curtain Up Award/Best Scenic Design), JAMES JOYCE’S THE DEAD (Carbonell Award/Best Scenic Design) at GableStage; CRIMES OF THE HEART (Curtain Up Nominations/Best Scenic Design/Best Director of a Play/Best Play, Carbonell Nominations/Best Director of a Play/Best Play), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Curtain Up Awards/Best Ensemble/Best Supporting Actor in a Musical) and BLOOD BROTHERS (Carbonell Nominations/Best Director of a Musical/Best Musical, Curtain Up Awards/Best Director of a Musical/Best Musical), all at the Shores Performing Arts Theatre, which also received the Most Progressive and Innovative Theatre Award from the Curtain Up voters for 2003 during his tenure as Artistic Director. Rich was also named Best South Florida Scenic Designer of 2001 by the Miami New Times, but is most proud to have been named a finalist for the 2003 Artist Impact Award, presented by the Miami Children’s Cultural Coalition for his work in children’s theatre.

Honoring Geno Ostrander

Larry Eugene “Geno” Ostrander was born  a redneck in Charleston SC on August 23, 1953. He was one of 4 children. 


   He discovered hashing in 1992 and attended several American and world interhashes, and hashed in at least 10 countries. He made numerous hash friends throughout the world, and he was well liked by anyone who met him. 



At his memorial in October 2021, over 100 hashers from 11 states came to pay tribute to one of the funnest guys you could ever hang out with. He loved his all-ke-haw and lived the “If you don’t start drinking first thing in the morning, you can’t drink all day!”  every day, and had his camo Tervis tumbler filled at all times. I think he invented the “10 count pour”, where you pour your liquor to the count of ten, and fill any remaining room with mixers. His 2 favorite drinks were Capt and Coke, and VO and Ginger. He even carried a bar in his truck at all times with liquors, mixers and ice so he could stop and pour himself one at all times!!!

   Although he squandered most of his money away drinking and chasing tail, he would give you the shirt off his back if you asked. He was always available to lend a hand or help a friend out. 


Even though he traveled around the world, Geno’s favorite place to visit was Key West, making several trips a year. He passed away August 2, 2021 while visiting Key West.


Honoring David "Dave" Wooley


David “Dave” Arthur Wooley, 64, of Smithfield, Virginia passed away on December 26, 2022. Dave was born on February 6, 1958 in Vestal, New York, and was the son of the late J. Bedford “Jack” and Margaret “Maggie” Wooley. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Claire Robertson Wooley; two children, Christy Howard (Rico) and William Wooley (Courtney); five grandsons; his brother John Wooley; and a host of friends whom he treated as family. Dave was a proud 1976 graduate of Vestal High School and a proud 1980 graduate of SUNY Maritime College at Fort Schuyler. He enjoyed telling stories about his high school and college years and took pride in keeping in touch with his former classmates. He spent over forty years working in the marine and shipping industries, and was most recently an Operations Manager for Atlantic Container Line (ACL). Dave enjoyed golfing, being on the water, planning and attending social gatherings, and could always be found with a golden retriever close by. A service to honor Dave’s life will be held at Little’s Funeral Home in Smithfield, Virginia on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 12:00pm, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 2:00pm at Smithfield Station. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.


Honoring Alisa Dee Higgs

October 12 1963 - December 21 2022
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow if smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun; of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
“Love your face” “To the moon and back”
“And the stars”

Honoring Jeanne Jaeger

She had the biggest heart, she was the queen of our misfit group. She retired to Key West in 2011. First she lived in a fifth wheel at (Geiger) where we met. Then she bought a house on Rockland key. Her house became our gathering place for holidays and our shared birthdays. Her favorite thing to do was to go out on the water every day, and read her books. She was a giver and she loved her dog. She will never be forgotten she will live on and all of our hearts. She was such a special lady, Shewas my best friend . When my mother passed away she became my rock never judging my behavior. She hosted the best parties, holiday get together‘s as we all gathered and became a family. I learned a lot from her. We texted every day for eight years until she passed away. In loving memory I wish that she is honored every year and we will never forget her.

Honoring Tommy Ford

My Brother, Tommy Ford, passed away July 5th, 2022.  He was born in Newport, Rhode Island.  He was one of nine boys and three girls.

Tommy was one of the bravest persons I know.  If he decided to do something, anything, he would do it.  Tommy tried working for Newport Hospital but realized he wanted to have his own business.  He tried a few businesses before he found his niche in painting.  Tommy worked very hard and was GREAT at it!  Tommy had contracts with local companies for many years before retiring.

Because of Tommy, I have so many great family memories.  What person would ever wake up after every New Year’s Eve at 2AM to cook ALL his family and friends a New Year’s Day breakfast.  That was my brother!  

He was a great brother.  Tommy was kind and always there to lend a helping hand, but also a wise guy.  He loved using his favorite line from the movie Cool Hand Luke when you weren’t listening, “What we have here is a failure to communicate”. 

He loved walking long distances, from one end of Newport to the other, and dancing at parties.

We know he is dancing with the Angels.