John Atkinson
Col. John Atkinson, U.S. Air Force-retired, 96, of Holmes Beach, died Nov. 24. He was born Nov. 3, 1918 in Auburn , Alabama, to the late Thomas and Irene Caroll Atkinson.
He served with the Air Force as pilot during World War II and the Korean Conflict, retiring as a colonel after many years of loyal service.
He moved with wife Jane to Manatee County more than 40 years ago, and served on the Bradenton City Commission for several years and also served as vice mayor of Bradenton. He worked for 15 years as a broker with Merrill Lynch in Bradenton.
After living in Bradenton for many years, he moved to Holmes Beach.
Mr. Atkinson was a member of the Retired Air Corps and the Kirby Stewart American Legion Post 24 of Bradenton.
A service was held Nov. 28 with full military honors by the Kirby Stewart American Legion Post 24 of Bradenton at the Key Royale Club clubhouse, 700 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach. Arrangements were by Shannon Funeral Home, Bradenton.
Mr. Atkinson is survived by son Burt and wife Glena of Pompano Beach; daughters Corrine Pool of Bryan, Ohio, and Sherry Kirschner and husband John of Celina, Ohio; step-daughter Christine and husband Steven Nelson of Bradenton; sister Sara Miller and husband Jack of Bradenton; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and many extended family members and friends.
Harry R. Bailey
Harry R. Bailey, of Cortez, died Dec. 1. He was 85.A memorial service for Mr. Bailey will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Moose Lodge, 110 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach.
A remembrance from Moose Lodge administrator Ernie Casali said, “Harry was a great Moose member for many years. He was also an officer of the lodge for many years off and on. When he was needed he was in there. In his earlier years, he was a big-time volunteer in the kitchen and he was the lodge repairman for many years until his eyesight started to fail on him.
“He will be missed by many of us. He was a great friend, person, Moose Member and family man.”
Donations may be made to TideWell Hospice Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota FL 34238-5160.
Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters Nyda Bannerman and Sue Downing; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
William J. Gassman
William J. Gassman, 82, of Bradenton, died Nov. 17. He was born in Brookville, Ohio, and moved to Manatee County in 1992 from Muncie, Indiana.
He worked at the Publix Super Market in Holmes Beach, where he was much admired by staff and customers for his thoughtfulness. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Moose Lodge.
Covell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gassman is survived by sons Joseph William and Andrew Ralph; daughters Amy McCorkle and Vicki Rohrer; brother Johnny; sisters Pat, Winnie and June; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
John Kamin
John Kamin, 93, of Anna Maria, died Nov. 30.He was born in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. He was the last survivor of eight children of the late Anthony and Stanislawa (Pogozliski) Kaminski.
Mr. Kamin was a longtime employee of M&M Candies in Hackettstown, New Jersey, retiring in January 1980.
Upon retirement, he became a resident of Anna Maria, where he enjoyed life as an islander. He was known to many as the “guy on the Anna Maria free trolley that plays his harmonica.” He told The Islander in 2011, “I’ve met people on that trolley from all over the world, literally. All kinds from every place you could think of.”
Mr. Kamin was a longtime member of CrossPointe Fellowship in Holmes Beach and for more than 30 years, and he ministered to those in the Manatee County jail. A man of strong faith, he told The Islander he liked to go by “John the Baptist.”
He also was a founding member of the Over the Hill Gang, a group of seniors who played tennis many mornings at the Anna Maria Island Community Center.
Mr. Kamin was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served as a chef in the South Pacific during World War II.
Visitation will be noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, with a short service to follow at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd St. W., Bradenton.
Memorial donations may be made to CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217. Condolences can be made at www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.
Mr. Kamin is survived by his wife of 68 years, May; son John R. and wife Gail Vignola of Evansville, Indiana; granddaughter Stefanie Bladel and husband Greg of Hoboken, New Jersey; and son-in-law Tom Fox of Easton, Pennsylvania.