Ramon D. ‘Ray’ Baney Sr.
Ramon D. “Ray” Baney Sr. died May 9 in Bradenton.
He was born in New Castle, Indiana, Jan. 12, 1932. He grew up in Muncie, Indiana, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1949. He served in the submarine service while the Navy transformed World War II diesel-electric fleet submarines to snorkel-equipped “Guppy” class subs and later during the fleet conversion to nuclear power.
He was stationed in Groton, Connecticut, when he married Bessie M. Seaburg in 1950 and began a family, raising four children.
He served on the USS Triton SSRN 586 in 1960 during the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe. He made several cruises on fleet ballistic missile submarines during the 1960s, including the USS George Washington, USS Robert E Lee and USS James K. Polk.
He helped open the Orlando Naval Training Center and retired there in 1969, living in Orlando until moving to Anna Maria Island with his second wife, Delaine.
He worked as a painter and repairman and was a well known personality in Anna Maria for more than 20 years.
He is survived by his children, Karen, Ramon Jr., Rande and Kim; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Gabriel Simches
Gabriel Simches, 90, formerly of Holmes Beach, died June 4.
He was married for 64 years to his late wife, Dorothy, and was active as an actor and officer with the Island Players community theater in Anna Maria.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union or a local hospice.
He is survived by his children, Kathy, Judy and David; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.