Louis D. Figari
Louis D. Figari, a longtime resident of Holmes Beach, died Aug. 25.
He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, March 15, 1950, to Marie and Louis Figari Sr. He lived in Closter, New Jersey, for 32 years, where he attended Northern Valley Regional High School. He graduated from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1972.
He moved to Anna Maria Island in 1982 and became a partner at Callaghan Tire, where he worked for more than 30 years. He was known for his generosity and his willingness to help others.
A celebration of life will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at the sunset pavilion at the Gulf Drive Cafe, 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach. Memorial donations may be sent to the American Heart Association, LaSalle University or Ducks Unlimited. Condolences may be made online at shannonfuneralhomes.com.
He is survived by wife Wanda; stepdaughter Renee Bindley Weintraub of Bradenton; stepson Michael Bindley of Holmes Beach; granddaughter Danielle Robert of Fort Myers; and grandson Airman Nathan Robert of Germany.
Dennis ‘DJ’ John Kelly
Dennis “DJ” John Kelly, 67, of Bradenton and formerly Anna Maria Island, died Aug. 29.
There will be no services. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Condolences maybe made online at brownandsonsfuneral.com.
He is survived by brothers Kevin and wife Lorraine) of Toms River, New Jersey, and Gordon and wife Debra of Middletown, New York; and many nieces and nephews, including Brianne and Gordon.
Barbara L. Turner-Grace
Barbara L. Turner-Grace of Bradenton and formerly of Bradenton Beach died Aug. 24.
She was born Aug. 7, 1935, in Waterloo, Iowa, and grew up in the small town of LaPorte City, Iowa.
She attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and art education. She earned her master’s degree in administration and supervision from Nova Southeastern University.
She taught elementary school in St. Petersburg for two years and art in Hudson, Iowa, for seven years. She taught art and was the senior class sponsor at Manatee High School 1969-75 and was the art teacher and senior sponsor at Bayshore High School 1981-88. She was a Realtor in Manatee County 1989-2004 and then retired to travel, paint, give back to her community and spend time with her family.
She served as mayor of Bradenton Beach 1986-87 and on the Manatee County School Board 1992-96.
She was a talented artist and musician. She loved watching football and cheering for the Packers, Buccaneers and Gators while painting pet portraits.
She was involved in many organizations, including Women’s Council of Realtors, Pen Women of Sarasota, Women’s Resource Center, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Manatee, Manatee County Public Schools Foundation, Manatee Education Executive Committee, American Association of University Women, Children’s Academy of Southwest Florida, Manatee Riverfront Players Theater, Republican Women’s Forum and Manatee County Children’s Services Advisory Board.
A memorial service will be held at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 6101 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in Bradenton is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Freedom Village Scholarship Fund, 6501 17th Ave. W., Bradenton FL 34209. Condolences may be made online at brownandsonsfuneral.com.
She is survived by husband Walter “Charlie” Grace, a former Bradenton Beach commissioner; daughter Lisa and husband Todd Henson; granddaughters Genaveve and Annabe; stepson David and wife LuAnn; grandsons Richard and wife Sheri Fintel, Jason and wife Leighann Fintel and Richard and wife Billie Jo Fintel.