Francis S. Cashin
Francis S. Cashin, 95, of Holmes Beach, died peacefully at home Jan. 3.
He was born Aug. 30, 1927, in Kingston, New York, to Francis and Anna (Braun) Cashin.
He grew up in Kingston, graduated Kingston High
School in 1944, attended Clarkson College and served in the U.S. Navy 1945-46.
In 1947, Mr. Cashin went to work for IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York. He served a three-year apprenticeship as a tool and diemaker, three years as an instructor, followed by 37 years in various engineering management positions. In retirement, he had an antique business, the “Corner Cupboard,” for many years in Rhinebeck, New York.
Mr. Cashin is survived by son Mark and wife Mary Lynn of Cary, North Carolina; stepchildren Dr. Christopher Simek and wife Teresa of Lakeland, Laurie Wegryn and husband Mark of Monson, Massachusetts, Robert Simek and wife Donna of Dover, Maryland, John Simek and wife Susan of Kingston; grandson, Mark E. and wife Allison of Garner, North Carolina; step-grandchildren Dr. Shawn Simek and wife Rachel of Gainesville, Jaclyn and husband Brian Landers of Melbourne, Kaitlin, Maria, Billy and Charlie Simek; and great-grandchildren Hailey, Benjamin and Anna.
Additionally, Frank’s family would like to acknowledge the excellent care he received from Dr. Manjesh Lingamurthy and staff, and the compassionate care from the nurses at Blake Outpatient Center and Tidewell Hospice.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, East Falmouth, Massachusetts. Memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard Church Women’s Guild or Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34235. Condolences may be made to brownandsonsfuneral.com.
David W. Kruger
David W. Kruger, 78, of Holmes Beach and Lake Bluff, Illinois, died Nov. 30, 2022.
He was born Jan. 17, 1944, in Primghar, Iowa, and grew up in Sanborn, Iowa.
He received a degree in pharmacy from South Dakota State University and a BA in business from Coe College, graduating summa cum laude. He practiced pharmacy for two years at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before beginning a career in 1971 with Abbott Laboratories in Minneapolis. After many career achievements, he retired in 1999 as national sales manager for the Abbott Diagnostics Division.
He and his wife came to Anna Maria Island in 2002 and split their time with Lake Bluff.
He was a member of the Community Church in Lake Bluff and Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach. He was an avid golfer, reader and gourmet cook and spent many hours walking his golden retriever, Daisy.
He was known for his special sense of humor and for making people laugh.
Tributes may be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Morris Animal Foundation, Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Kruger is survived by his wife, Trish; sister Mary Long of Gig Harbor, Washington; brother-in-law Ken Mattison of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; and seven nieces and nephews.
Barbara Thackston King
Barbara Thackston King, 85, of Bradenton, died Dec. 30, 2022, with her family by her side.
She was born Oct. 9, 1937, in Miami and moved to Bradenton in 1942. She attended Ballard Elementary School, and Bradenton Junior High. She graduated from Manatee High School in 1955 where she was involved in the Drill Team, Future Teachers, Mam’Selles, and the Domestic Exchange to Rhode Island, and also learned to sail from her future husband, her high school sweetheart, Bill King.
She attended Florida State University where she was in the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, and then graduated Georgia State University with a degree in psychology. On moving back to Bradenton in 1965, she became actively involved in Entre Nous, including as president, life member, and then many years with the Service Club. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church most of her life and the Zacchean Class.
Mrs. King assisted in the organization of her MHS class alumni activities. She was on the board at the YMCA and the Manatee County Public Library Foundation, helping to bring in noted authors for lectures, a volunteer at Easterseals Happiness House, and later a volunteer at the Manatee Village Historical Society.
She also helped manage her husband’s dental office. She also was involved in all her children’s various activities, including Cub Scouts’ den mother, a volunteer at Bradenton Christian School’s library, as well as being a soccer, volleyball and softball team transporter. She also would volunteer to assist on sailing race committees and as a Girl Scout cookie mom. At the Bradenton Yacht Club, she was involved in the Galley Maids and the women’s sailing races.
She loved to travel the world. Her hobbies included sailboat racing and cruising, reading, supporting football and tennis and working crossword puzzles.
A service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at First United Methodist Church, 603 11th St. W., Bradenton, with a reception to follow. Shannon Funeral Home is overseeing arrangements. Memorial donations may be designated to Bradenton YMCA at ymcaswfl.org, or Easterseals Happiness House, 350 Braden Ave., Sarasota, FL 34343.
Mrs. King is survived by her husband of 65 years, William B.; children Tom and wife Sharon of Anna Maria, David and wife Julie of Bradenton, and Carol Hughes of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren Andrew, Noah, Tyler, and Allison and Landon, Kaelyn and Rebekah Hughes; great-grandchildren Roman, Piper and Theodore King; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear supportive friends.
Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com