Loving Wife, Mother and Grandmother
Honoring Doug Bragg
Doug Bragg was born April 30,1947. He left us January 16, 2020. Doug was an avid reader, writer, thinker, dreamer. Driven by curiosity he always had a smile on his face and a story to tell. He left the world a kinder place.
Honoring Joseph "Joe" Crehan
Joseph (“Joe”) Crehan was born in Tampa, Florida, on May 26, 1959, and lived his entire
life in Florida until his unfortunate early passing from a cardiac event on November 30, 2021,
when returning from a Thanksgiving vacation. In speaking with other born and raised Floridians,
Joe would always say they were “giving” their state away with so many others moving into
Florida. Joe believed in living life to the fullest, even in recent years when he was hampered by
a foot injury and wore a “Dr. Makimaa boot” for so long that friends teased him that it had
become a part of his body. Joe was an avid sailor and made his way to the Florida Keys around
1988, where he lived in Key West until his passing. While in Tampa, Joe worked in the medical
field at hospitals and then eventually became a paramedic after moving to the Keys. He was a
Monroe County paramedic for 13 years and was recognized once as “Paramedic of the Year.” Joe
loved that job, even though it was stressful, as he was able to help others in their time of need.
You would always find Joe there to help anyone, whether it was to fix your auto, hang hurricane
shutters, securing a boat for hurricanes, moving furniture, or just whatever someone wanted, he
was the “go to guy.” Joe gave so much, but in numerous quiet ways, and never wanting to
take any credit. Joe also worked many years at Publix, and as an Associate and then later a
Project Manager for West Marine, where he continued to work until his early death, and he
cherished the many friends he made over the years that he met through that job.
When not working, sailing was his passion and he loved his 41’ Morgan Out Island
sailboat, “Bajka,” which he lived on for many years. Joe, who was known as Sailor Joe, loved
cruising the waters of the Florida Keys, whether on Bajka or his small dinghy, which he even took
from Key West to Marathon once. In 1997, Joe and close friends, won the Key West to Veradero,
Cuba Race, in the cruising boat division. Joe often participated in the Schooner Wharf Wrecker’s
Cup Races and it was at a race in 1998 that he met his soulmate for life, Tricia Eables. With all of
his immediate family members dying before they turned 40 years old, Joe always believed this
would also be his fate in life. So, upon turning 40 in 1999, Joe retired from Monroe County and
he and Tricia cruised the Caribbean for over two years sailing all the way to St. Thomas before
eventually returning to Key West. They had the time of their lives, with many friends joining
them along the way, and remained friends for life with people they met on the various islands.
In 2005, Joe and Tricia purchased their dream home in Key West, known as the
“Treehouse”, and Joe was often found reading on the widow’s walk or making new friends with
strangers walking by on the street, whom he would often invite upstairs to see the view. Joe was
a constant reader, whether it was books, magazines, or his beloved New York Times, which he
got every day. Joe had an amazing mind and memory and was a firm believer that everyone
needed to know what was happening in the world so you could carry on a conversation at happy
hour. One could always find Joe with a smile on his face and being the life of a party, never
knowing what antic he may pull next. Joe had a life motto that “tough times don’t last, but tough
people do, so always be strong.” So, while Tricia, many friends, and family will miss Joe and his
smile every day, we know that he made a difference in this world and he will continue to look
out for us. So, fair winds and following seas, Sailor Joe!!
Honoring Bruce Gardner
Bruce Raymond Gardner, age 66 of Eastport Maryland, passed peacefully amongst his closest family in Annapolis, Maryland on Saturday, February 6, 2021. Bruce was born March 9, 1954 in Barnstable, Mass. and never strayed far from the water.
He was known for his charisma, big heart, sailing prowess, and incredible food. Bruce was also known and loved dearly as family, a restauranteur, a friendly neighbor, a world class sailor, and an incredible chef.
A black and white photo hangs in the basement of Bruce’s home showing him wearing a chef’s hat standing on the steps of Boston’s Fanueil Hall. It reads, “In France, they say if you want to build a truly great restaurant, you find a truly great Chef and build it around him. Wait ‘til you see what we built around Bruce.”
Bruce began his career as a bus boy and eventually worked his way up to head chef, running the entire kitchen of many restaurants, including Lily’s at Fanueil Hall. He opened and managed over a dozen restaurants in Cambridge, Mass. Bruce also opened Blossoms in DC followed by multiple Boston Seafood locations in D.C., St. Louis, and Kansas City.
Bruce left Boston for Maryland where he opened new restaurants, joined AYC, raised his two kids: Matthew and McKenzie. He opened The Station Grill in Washington D.C.’s The Union Station and for over 20 years, The Station Grill served both locals and travelers.
As an avid sailor and fierce competitor, Bruce competed in sailing regattas up and down the Eastern Seaboard, most notably on his boat, L’Outrage. From Sodus Bay, to Block Island, and all the way down to Key West, Bruce was well accomplished.
Bruce made everyone around him feel welcomed and smile. His charisma and big heart were ineffably notorious, his dance moves unforgettable, and his duck dialogue entertaining. Bruce was always willing to lend a hand and to help figure it out, whatever it may be.
Bruce is survived by Lisa, their dog Gigi, and his two kids Matthew and McKenzie. Bruce would be honored for donations to be made in his name to SPCA of Anne Arundel county, Ewe Spirit Fund or Hospice. For more information, the celebration of life, or to donate please visit https://bruce.gardner.cloud
Honoring Tamma Wells
Tamma was born in St Louis , Missouri in 1957 and found her way to Key West in 1985 . She was a bartender at Savannah and for 18 years Two Friends. In 1989 she met her life partner Barbara and together they made a happy life together with many cats and dogs and even fish. Quite fitting as they first met at The Pampered Pet !
Tamma discovered a love for computer technology and gained a degree at the Florida Keys Community College and worked in that field at LKMC. Later starting her own business ,Blue Sky Computer .She made many good friends while she fixed their computer issues and was lovingly referred to as a computer therapist . She was a devoted member of the Key West Buddhist sangha who were very involved in her lovely memorial.
Tamma was a kind and gentle soul with empathy for everyone. She also had a very zany sense of humor and often laughed the longest at her own jokes.
She faced her illness with quiet bravery ,gratitude and love for her friends and loved ones.When Tamma passed in 2015 ,she was surrounded with those she loved the most and who miss her every day.
Honoring Frances Head
Frances Head was a very persistent and determined woman. She lived almost 104 years, dying 6 weeks from her 104th birthdate. This persistence characterized her life as she came of age during the Depression and took the only available job of teaching in a one room schoolhouse near her hometown in Missouri. At that time one could teach with just a high school education. Determined to get a college education, she attended college for 15 summers to obtain both her undergraduate and master's degree in education. She enjoyed teaching the 5th and 6th grades the most. She managed to include travels to California, Colorado and New York at the end of these summers. During the war years of rationing she became the driver of the high school basketball team and insisted on polite behavior in her car. Also in the 1940s she obtained a teaching job in St. Louis where she eventually met her husband. Despite getting married in her mid thirties, she had three children in 4 years. After raising kids, she enjoyed traveling with her husband. Determined to the end she stayed in her own house until the time of her death.
Honoring Elizabeth Sherfey
Honoring Gee Somer
Gee was, and still is,the love of my life, we met in high school in 1970. we were married in 1972, we had 3 lovely children and they have blessed us with 6 grandchildren. in 2014 Gee was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he beat. Sadly in 2016 he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer which then spread to his lungs and liver. He fought so hard to retain a normal life, but cancer won the battle in 2018.He left a legacy of love to all who knew him.
Honoring Greg Coffey
Greg loved Key West. He lived and worked in Key West for over 9 years. He tended bar at a number of local watering holes, Rick's being his last place of employment where he won an annual award for the Best Bartender in Key West.
Honoring Quack McLaughlin
Honoring Jeff Sommerfeldt
Honoring Hetty Speelziek
In honour of my beautiful Mother whom passed away September 10th, 2012.
Immigrated from the Netherlands to Canada, after WW2 with her parents and 3 siblings. Met and married my Dad in 1960, and had four children, Brenda, James, Debby and Edward.
My Mother was a feisty, strong-willed Dutch girl whom instilled the same in her children. My Mother fought thru Alzheimer’s for almost six years.
I miss her terribly, as does our family. Love you Mommy, till we meet again. 💔
Honoring Jennifer Washburn
Sister. You were the fattest, happiest baby I ever saw. I treasured watching you grow up to be a smart, funny adult. We shared many good times together being with family, hearing music, eating and drinking and telling stories. Your chronic illnesses took you way too early. I miss you every day.
Honoring Trumpet Bob
This Photo was taken during the Crooks Second Line by Ralph De Palma
Trumpet Bob was a KW Legend. He passed away on August 7, 2018. He loved leading the New Orleans Style Street Funerals with his tuxedo, top hat and trumpet. Bob played on the patio of the Cafe Tropical in front of the Mel Fisher's Museum for over fifteen years. He played in many places all over Key West.
He loved to sit in with the Love Lane Gang. He first arrived in KW in 1952 while still in the Navy. Trumpet Bob was a world traveler and loved everyone. He had many friends here in Key West and will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. Bob loved to play in musical groups with Richard Crooks and was a good friend to Richard. Bob also loved to get children involved in music and it will be an honor to be included in the January 30th, 2022 Crooks Second Line March.
Honoring Olga Carito
Olga Carito loved Key West when she had a chance to visit in the 1990’s. She particularly loved purchasing shopping bags full of used books at the Monroe Library sale and then sweet-talking the postmaster into personally packing them into boxes for her to ship home.
Olga was born in the Italian North End of Boston and only spoke Italian when she started school. She became the first in her family to graduate college and in her first job was a “computer.” Similarly to the women in “Hidden Figures,” she led a team of mathematicians at MIT who did the calculations for the early work on the laser.
Olga broke from work to marry, raise a family of six kids, and involve herself in her community. In her forties, when her kids were older, she became a teacher, learned to drive, and earned a Masters Degree in Mathematics.
At age 60, recently widowed, Olga found herself touring through Maine with a friend, winding up their day at a bed and breakfast in Boothbay Harbor. When she heard the owner and his guests commiserating about him putting the place up for sale, she looked around and announced, “I’ll buy it.”
Being the owner and hostess of The Seafarer Inn was the business she was born to run. Endlessly charming, a lover of people, and proud of her hearty breakfast, Olga entertained countless visitors, most of whom refused to depart without a hug and a kiss.
After her health declined, Olga moved back to the Boston area where she loved to spend time with her family, grandkids, and playing cards with friends.
Olga loved beauty of all kinds - particularly music, art, and flowers. She sang throughout the day and in church choirs and always maintained large gardens. She had a great love for history and books, was a wicked Scrabble player, and an ardent Democrat. She loved her church, had her own special relationship with Jesus Christ, and was particularly devoted to the Blessed Mother.
Olga died on January 27, 2017. Her family misses her every day.
Honoring Tim Wegman
Timmy was known first as the Balloon Man,as he always showed up in his top hat with balloons for the kids and made everyone happy then went to the New England Conservatory for piano and came back to become the piano guy, tuning, playing and owning the music store on Caroline St until his passing after Hurricane Irma in Key West in 2018. He is sorely missed! RIP Piano Man!!
Timothy Gene Wegman passed to the other side on December 21, the Solstice (the day when the sun is as far South as it can go.)
Tim first came to Key West in 1972 from Indiana to visit me and never left. His first job was to run a fruit stand I had built for my oldest daughter, Karla, who was 5 years old. We stayed above Howie's Bar on lower Duval St. About that time, when I bought my first boat, Tim bought a lobster boat and gave it a try for a couple years. After which he took over the first health food store in Key West called the 'Herb Garden.' Those were Happy Days, he had a grand piano in the window which some very talented people would come in and play. He also had a free box outside for used items. I would come back to town after sailing around the Caribbean and would help Tim with making signs and t-shirts. Another one of his great ideas was a sandwich shop on the side of a store called the 'Food Show,' it was called 'The Fu Burger,' and was a big hit. The big grocery stores now had health food sections, so the days of independent stores were numbered.
Tim's real love for music sent him to Boston to the Conservatory to learn how to fix pianos. A year later, he came back to Key West and started a piano-tuning business and music store called A490 Piano Service on Caroline Street. He was also known as the Key West Balloon Man, showing up at birthday parties and Mallory Square with his balloons, top hat and red suspenders, but like anything else, all good things come to an end.
Plagued by health problems during his last few years, Tim gave a lot to Key West including a 9-foot Concert Steinway grand piano which will go to a cultural center on Fleming Street to be used to teach kids, give concerts and help with scholarships.
Tim is survived by four brothers and three sisters. His last birthday party and wake will be held at the Green Parrot Bar on January 16, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. He would have been 67. By David Wegman.
Honoring Margaret Powell
Margaret McElroy Powell was born January 2, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away August 28, 2016, in Hudson, NY, after a yearlong courageous struggle with colon cancer. She attended Marian Catholic High School and Illinois State University. She met her husband Greg on a student ship on her way to spending her junior year in Grenoble, France. After losing touch with each other, they met once again during a chance encounter in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Christmas Eve, 1967. They spent the following 50 years together, never losing their love for language, travel, and adventure. She received a Master’s degree in Language and Linguistics from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in French Literature from Duke University. Margaret approached life with style, grace and creativity. Friends and family relied on her for her knowledge, insight and delicious cooking. When visiting Key West, she enjoyed the weather, the culture, the cuisine and the many friends of her sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Steve Russ.
Honoring Jimmy Davis
A.K.A. "J.D. and "Mangrove Jim"
Jimmy lost a courageous battle with esophageal cancer on May 16, 2016. He was born on April 16, 1950 in Port St. Joe, Florida. He graduated from Florida State University after proudly enlisting and serving for 3 years in the United States Army, Military Police, 101st Airborne.
He and his wife Anita owned their outdoor furniture business in Kingston, NY and worked side by side for 25 years. Jimmy had a creative talent to design and build many unique custom pieces.
He and Anita enjoyed traveling and drove by way of the old 7 Mile Bridge in the mid-1970's to solve their curiosity about the Keys. They became longtime residents of the Keys where they raised their two daughters, Summer Rose and Amber Rose. He and Anita played music and entertained throughout the Keys for many years at Boondocks, Sugarloaf Lodge, Looe Key Tiki, Sunshine Key Resort, Key West and Big Pine Moose Lodge, Marathon American Legion, Galway Bay, Venture Out Resort, and many other venues.
Jimmy was an avid spear fisherman and enjoyed spending his time spearing mangrove snapper in the backcountry, He became known to many as "Mangrove Jim." He also loved cooking outdoors, eating raw oysters, and drinking cold beer. He was a dedicated Florida State football fan and enjoyed tailgating and FSU games with his family.
He loved everyone, had the best sense of humor, and was the life of every party. He was the most giving person and was always willing to lend a helping hand to ANYONE. His advice to everyone would be to live life to the fullest like he did because, as he would say, "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time.
Honoring Richard Crooks
The man who started it all, Richard Crooks. We will honor his memory once again at this years parade.
Honoring Nancy Robinson
Nancy R. Robinson was born Nancy Nell Rose in 1924 in St Paul, Minnesota. She married Seymour B. Robinson in 1946 and they began their family, moving to Chappaqua, New York, to watch them grow. Once Andrea, Nina, Martha, and Jim became adults and moved on, Nancy and Sy relocated to Ocala, Florida, where life began anew. In 1996, Seymour passed away, beginning Nancy’s fourth life in 1999 as a full-time Key West resident. Here, Nancy was known as a patron of the arts, board member to numerous organizations, supporter of many charitable causes, but mostly a regular presence in the Key West music scene, supporting venues and musicians alike. She regularly watched her son-in-law, Richard Crooks, Nina's husband, as he performed with many of Key West’s, and the country’s finest musicians. An aging body never stayed her youthful spirit, nor her time spent in being a loving and loved Key West presence. She always remained available for her friends and her causes, and most of all, continued assuring that opportunities opened for those whom she could encourage, support, and love.