Honoring Pat Marshall

Patrick (Pat) Marshall was a quiet guy with a winning smile who hated cigarette smoke and loved Skyline Chili dogs. He was the kind of guy who, no matter who you asked, he was their best friend. He loved his wife Sandy, & his dog Norton. His office was the corner of the Green Parrot Bar with his bottle of beer & a shot of Blackberry Brandy. He could build anything, repair anything, he was our go to guy. He came to Key West from the Shenandoah Valley and if you ever felt a little down, all you had to do was sit next to Patrick at the Green Parrot and he’d have you laughing in no time with his silly, made-up Dad Jokes!

Honoring Wanda Webb

Remembering Wanda Webb. Wanda could be found daily at the Green Parrot next to Whitey wearing a cute hat, her pirate coin and carrying one of her many “pocketbooks” unfortunately most of the pocketbooks were lost during the flooding of Wilma. Wanda knew all the news and rumors around Key West and was always ready with advice. Born in Tennessee, Wanda’s favorite places were St. Augustine and Key West. Wanda left us in December of 21 and we all miss her.

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 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.