Pirates at heart.
Honoring Carol Forbes
Carol was a free spirit. She was a sister, daughter, mother, spouse and grandmother. Carol loved life and traveled with her partner Eric extensively. Carol was always the life of the party, and was one of the first people on the dance floor shaking her butt! Although she didn't graduate until she was middle-aged, she went on to become a literacy teacher and won the literacy award of BC in 2004. She formed great bonds with her students, and was great at putting people at ease. She didn't know how to look down on people and everyone was given an open heart, big smile and a warm hug when they came in the door. Carol loved nature and spent many weekends camping or fishing and every afternoon in their spacious backyard relaxing and watching the bald eagles that nested there. She was a great cook, a great mom, and an even better grandmother and the world dimmed a little when she left it.
Honoring Dave Duncan
David Hoxie Duncan, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend to all, passed away peacefully on April 27th after a long illness. Born on February 18, 1944 in Denver Colorado to Horace and Mary Alice Duncan, Dave grabbed life by the horns and thought himself a true American cowboy.
A storyteller by nature, Dave could weave you a yarn that would please the king. From fantastic tales of his years in the hospitality industry, (including a summer at the Stanley Hotel, famous from the movie "The Shining") to stories of his childhood at "784 St Paul" Dave could regale a crowd and keep them laughing. A brilliant mind with a love of knowledge, Dave could rattle off important historical dates and movie quotes like an encyclopedia.
After suffering a spinal cord injury in 1988, Dave showed his indomitable spirit and regained mobility, returned to school and started a new life and career for himself. Despite his disability, Dave would take his children horse back riding, to amazing classic rock concerts, and always meeting friends on Fridays for dinner and a movie. Dave loved books, old westerns (especially John Wayne), tv crime dramas, shopping, classic rock music, Star Trek and Star Wars and his love was contagious through his immense enthusiasm and excitement. He never missed a Phil Collins air drum solo when his lucky song came on the radio.
Dave's reason for living was his children, whom he loved with all his heart. No matter his personal life challenges he always made sure his children felt his unconditional love. He instilled in them the ability and courage to try anything, and made them feel like the most beautiful, intelligent and important people on the planet. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren and that pride gives them strength.
May the Force be with him.
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 Carole Gerbracht
Carole became a beautiful angel at the young age of 5 years. In her short life she showed her creative talents from painting and drawing to cooking. She loved drawing, painting and sculpting and her skill was far beyond her years. She was also very mischievous from egging her older sister on to pretend they were taking a bath when they were actually playing all the while running the bath water. To mooning the Conch Train (much to her mother's horror), and yes she did get in trouble for that - spent some time in time-out. She was a generous soul loving nothing more than giving people flowers. Born in Key West she loved the water either spending hours in the pool with friends to snorkeling and boating. Even at her young age there was no doubt she was living life to the fullest, having the best time with her family and lots of friends. We love her and miss her to this very day beyond words can say.
Honoring Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher
Honoring Yankee Jack
Yankee Jack moved to Key West from Boston in 1989 and began singing on Duval Street, most notably at the Bull. “Every good story should be put to music and passed down for all to enjoy.”
Honoring Eddie Standifer
Honoring Kenyatta Arrington
Honoring Steve Mello
Honoring Pete Frazier
Honoring Hugo Duarte
The front man for the Full Sail Band, the first and only house band at the Hog’s Breath Saloon, Hugo Duarte was an incredible songwriter. He developed a following with his songs, many based on his time in Key West. Chris Clifton calls him “the original Trop Rocker.”
– Soul of Key West
Honoring Marilyn Holderfield Heinke
Honoring Gregory Steven King
8/15/1959-7/12/2004
Gregory Steven King was a dancer with the Royal Ballet of Canada; understudy for Rudolph Nureyev; dancer for the Joffrey Ballet; and an instructor for the Coffee Mill Dance Studio and Geoffrey King Ballet in Key West.
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.
Honoring Ellen Sanchez
Ellen Welters Sanchez was born in 1902 and taught music and grade school in Key West for over 65 years. The preeminent piano teacher in Bahama Village she was a musical mentor and godmother to many, including the legendary Lofton “Coffee" Butler, Ellen wrote beautiful songs about her island home. She wrote a song for Harry Truman, “The Beautiful Isle of Key West” and Coffee sang it to President Truman at the dedication of Truman Avenue in 1955. Ellen passed away in 2007 the day before her 104th birthday. Ellen’s generous spirit and love of music inspired the Bahama Village Music Program.
Honoring Larry Douglas
Lawrence “Larry” H. Douglas was born in Watertown, NY in 1935. He joined the US Navy and served aboard the USS Sabalo, a diesel submarine. Thanks to the GI Bill, he obtained a degree from the State University of New York at Oswego and then taught junior high school in Watertown. In 1962 he married Barbara and they moved to Syracuse, NY where he earned his PhD from Syracuse University while teaching at the University of Rochester.
In 1973 Larry and Barbara moved with their three children, Nancy, Kate, and Tom, to New Hampshire, where for 28 years Larry was both a Dean and a Professor of History at Plymouth State College. He continued his service in the Navy Reserve, was recalled to active duty during Operations Desert Shield/Storm as the naval historian for Central Command, and retired as a decorated captain in 1991.
A surprise trip for Barbara’s birthday in 2003 was the first visit to Key West for the Douglas family. Larry loved the warmth of the sun, the boats in the harbor, the smell of salt air, the rich history of the island, the friendliness of everyone, and especially the music. He was happy to wear shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals in the winter months, leaving the snow shoveling and shivering behind. He and Barbara spent several winters here, eventually purchasing a home in Old Town within walking distance to their favorite haunts – B. O.’s Fish Wagon and Finnegan’s Wake. Larry thoroughly enjoyed hearing good music all over town, especially when Richard Crooks or Barry Cuda were performing with the island’s other world class musicians. Many of these fantastic artists have become great friends, as have those with whom Larry and Barbara enjoyed the music. Larry made friends with ease and those who knew him will fondly remember his wide grin and finger-tapping joy. We thank you all for your friendship and love.
Honoring Luciana Maria Santori Pope
Born in Cellino Attanasio, Teramo, Italy, Luciana worked as a midwife and nurse in Naples, Italy, where she met her late husband, a US Navy officer, Master Chief Roger R. Pope Sr., married him, and had their first child. The family moved to the US in 1955 and she became a US citizen in 1957.
She is survived by her daughters Laura Pope Smith (Craig) and Sandra Pope, and her son Roger Pope, Jr. Her grandchildren, Michelle Dekkers, Jason Pope, Jessica Pope, Shauna Smith, Jennifer Robinson, Jared Robinson and Jager Robinson survive her. Her great grandchildren Jessica Renee and Kevin Duane Salas also survive her.
Her legacy of courage has been documented in the movie "My Italian Secret: The Forgotten Heroes." Her town of Cellino was part of a secret network during World War II hiding Jews. She bore a scar on her right cheek from shrapnel that hit her while she was running between buildings during a raid by Nazi soldiers looking for Jews.
Honoring Pat Kavanaugh
Pat was born Emmett Patrick Kavanaugh in Baltimore Maryland 1950, and grew up in Ellicott City. He was a swim coach in Ellicott City and a lifeguard in Ocean City Maryland in the summers. He received a scholarship for football where he attended the University of Maryland, he loved music and played in a band in college. Pat loved the path he chose in the Spirits industry selling from Beer to Liquor. Pat moved to Islamorada in 1988 where he loved to jump on his boat and fish, and met his wife Sandy they then moved to Key West in 1996. We had our wedding at the House of Blues in New Orleans LA with many friends and family. He was very charitable and would donate to any good cause. He is greatly missed by his wife Sandy, his three great kids Kelly, Patrick and Michael, mom Joyce and brother Mike and his two beautiful dogs Max and Maggie. You remain always in our hearts.