Wanda Bindley Figari
Wanda Bindley Figari died Jan. 30.
She was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Fred and Ethel Damm and lived there throughout her childhood.
She received her undergraduate degree with honors from Indiana State University, where she also served as homecoming queen and president of Chi Omega, where she made many lifelong friends. She earned master degrees from both Ball State University and USF. She also was a appointee to the Kentucky Colonels.
She taught elementary school in Carmel, Indiana, and later in Bradenton. She also worked for the Manatee School Board as a reading specialist before retiring.
She loved living on Anna Maria Island and her Friday night “date nights” with husband Lou. Many people enjoyed her Indy 500 parties and Christmas sing-alongs.
A celebration of her life will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or a charity of choice. Condolences may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com.
Survivors include son Michael Bindley of Holmes Beach; daughter Renee Bindley Weintraub and husband Larry of Bradenton; granddaughter Danielle Robert of Fort Myers; and grandson Airman Nathan Robert of Germany.
John Gilligan
John “Jack” Gilligan, 79, of Holmes Beach, and formerly of Brooklyn, New York, died Feb. 6. He was born Jan. 13, 1938.
Born in Brooklyn, he attended parochial grammar schools, St. Francis High School and received a bachelor’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology.
He was a 26-year veteran of the New York Police Department, retiring at the rank of sergeant. He was a U.S. Army veteran and also a New York state trooper prior to joining the NYPD.
He and wife Kathy lived in Brooklyn for a short time after marrying in 1962, and they resided in Rockaway Beach, New York, for more than 30 years.
He became active in the Boy Scouts with his sons, attending scout meetings, chaperoning camping trips and helping with Scout projects.
After retirement, he and his wife followed the sun and split their time between Las Vegas and Anna Maria Island.
They eventually moved to Anna Maria Island, where he served on the board of his condominium association.
Although he was not a beach person, he enjoyed the relaxed beach lifestyle.
He also traveled with his wife, visiting 47 states, as well as various other locations.
Known for his sense of humor, keen wit, uncanny memory and an appetite for trivia, he always was the friendly guy people turned to for good conversation and debate.
Services were Feb. 18. Funeral arrangements were by Shannon Funeral Home Westview Chapel, 5610 Manatee Ave W. Bradenton. He was to be buried at the Sarasota National Cemetery.
He is survived by wife Kathryn (nee Powers); children Patricia and husband Sean Lyons, John Patrick and wife Eileen, Edward and Randall; grandchildren Connor, Stephanie and John Patrick; sister Catherine Godkin; brother Raymond; in-laws John Powers and wife Vera, Maureen and husband Tom Brady, Anne and husband Tommy Hartnett and Barbara Lynch; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Lavonne J. Hager
Lavonne J. Hager, 91, of Cortez, died Feb. 10 in Sarasota.
She was born Jan. 11, 1926, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, to Carold and Frances McGugin.
She is the widow of Mathias Hager.
Burial and services will be later in Ohio. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel in Bradenton is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made online at brownandsonsfuneral.com.
She is survived by sisters Alma Cockerham and Joanne Body, both of Cortez.