Virginia ‘Shirley’ Heatley
Virginia “Shirley” Zgorski Heatley, 85, of Ellenton, died Oct. 15.
She was born July 10, 1931, in Chicago.
She was married to William Edward Heatley for 52 years.
She lived in Chicago and moved to Holmes Beach in 1975 before moving to Ellenton in 2002.
She attended the Creiger School of Nursing in Chicago and began her career in 1968, nursing in obstetrics and office management for physicians. She was a devoted member of Harvest Field Community Church, and was active in leadership. She also was a devoted member of All Island Denominations and received the Myron Bunnell Award in 1997 for her humanitarian work on Anna Maria Island.
Services were Oct. 20 at Harvest Field Community Church in Parrish. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory of Bradenton was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Harvest Field Community Church. Condolences may be made online at www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Survivors include children Debra Elizabeth, Dennis William and wife Linda, Michael Edward and wife Patricia, William Jeffrey and wife Susan, Jeffrey James and wife Kathryn and Richard Joseph aka Logan Seven; grandchildren Jennifer, Kerry Lynne, Shannon, Adam, Heather, Nicki and wife Shannon and Talitha; and seven great-grandchildren.
Gary Hirshberg
Gary Hirshberg, 73, of Bradenton, died Oct. 16.
He was born April 20,1943, in Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, and moved to Bradenton with his family at a young age. He graduated with the class of 1961 from Manatee High School and served in Vietnam with the 231st Transportation Company of the U.S. Army.
He was involved in various local family businesses with his father, Norman, and brother, Ron, including the Cotton Shop dress stores, Surplus Depot, Camp & Hike shop and Hirsh Sailing Yachts, to name just a few. He spent 21 years as a yacht broker with Galati Yacht Sales on Anna Maria Island.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed the outdoors and seized any opportunity he could to spend time with his friends and family. He loved camping, dancing, motorcycling and boating and was particularly fond of visiting national parks and monuments.
He was a wonderful and giving father, friend and confidant with a strong but gentle demeanor.
A private ceremony with military honors will be held Oct. 27 at Sarasota National Cemetery. A public celebration of life will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or a local hospice.
Survivors include mother Vivian; brother Ron; sister Darrell Ann; former spouse Diana; children David, Carrie Allen, Craig and Erica Carter; and grandchildren Victoria, Fin, Jake and Sara.