Obituaries – 03-14-2018

Nicholas Lawrence ‘Larry’ Ackerman

Larry Ackerman, 61, born and raised in Manatee County, died March 4. He was born March 27, 1956, and graduated from Palmetto High School in 1975.

He owned L.A. Design auto repair and sales in Bradenton and was a member of the Palmetto Jaycees and the Anna Maria Island Privateers.

Arrangements were made by Central Florida Casket Store and Funeral Chapel in Lakeland Florida. Memorial donations may be made to Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary or the Humane Society of Manatee County.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Caryn Cleary Ackerman; brothers Jim Skeels of Bradenton, Kenneth Ackerman of Everett, Washington, and Ron Flinn of Juneau, Alaska.

 

Dolores ‘Dee’ Arbanas

Dolores “Dee” Arbanas, 87, of Holmes Beach, died Jan 7.

Mrs. Arbanas, husband Ron and kids moved to Holmes Beach 25 years ago.

She was a florist and loved all things green. She raised hundreds of orchids and was considered somewhat of an “orchid whisperer.” She was a great cook and her door was always open.

She had a wicked sense of humor which kept everyone laughing.

She had a great passion for the Pawnee Indian and became an honorary member of the tribe through her years of work with them at the Field Museum in Chicago.

She and her husband would travel every year to Oklahoma for the annual Pawnee Indian Pow Wow, where she was invited to join in the ceremonial dancing.

Husband Ron, daughter Susanna and son Keith, all of Holmes Beach, send a “warm thank you” to all the friends on the island who reached out to them with condolences.

 

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Frazer Grant

Elizabeth “Betty” Frazer Grant, 88, of Anna Maria Island, died Jan. 20.

She was born Dec. 2, 1929, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Maron and Estelle Doty Frazer. She was a resident of Anna Maria Island since 1990, moving from Winter Haven, where she had lived since 1955. Before retirement, she was a school teacher with the Polk County Schools. She was married to James Thomas Grant Jr.

Her bubbly personality, humor and kindness will be remembered. No services are planned.

She is survived by son Jim Grant, wife Kim and their daughter Taylor of Bonita Springs; and son in-law Joe Kerekes and his sons Grant and Andrew of Anna Maria Island.

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