Luciana DiClemente
Luciana DiClemente, 89, of Holmes Beach, died peacefully July 30 in Michigan.
She was born in 1933 in Castel del Monte, Italy, and emigrated in 1955 to Detroit with husband Gino.
She discovered Anna Maria Island in the late 1970s and became a resident in the 2000s. She was a highly accomplished classic painter, sculptor, knitter, passionate gardener and wonderful cook in the Roman culinary tradition.
Mrs. DiClemente is survived by her husband, Gino; siblings Fiorella, Corrado and Paolo and wife Anna; sons John and wife Jeannie, Perry and wife Linda, Steve and wife Brenda, and Gino and wife Stephanie; nine nieces and nephews in Italy and four stateside. “Nonna Lu,” as known to family, also is survived by 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Walter E. ‘Turk’ Surko Jr.
Walter E. “Turk” Surko Jr., 87, of Holmes Beach, died July 27 at Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton.
He was born in New Britain, Connecticut, to the late Walter Sr. and Lydia (Bodach).
He graduated in 1954 from Berlin High School and served during peacetime with the U.S. Army. He resided in Southington, Connecticut, before moving to Florida in 2003.
Mr. Surko was a vice president at P&F Corbin Division of American Hardware, now Emhart Corporation in Berlin, Connecticut, before retiring in 1990. He was an accomplished engineer, who invented devices for the lock and door industry with 20 patents.
He was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in New Britain.
Over the years, he enjoyed riding motorcycles and snowmobiles and playing guitar, golf and softball.
A private family service is planned for a later date. Memorial donations may be made to American Macular Degeneration Fund, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01060. Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made at carlsonfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Surko is survived by stepson Bill Belden and wife Denise of Southington; three step-grandsons; twin sister Eleanore Nickolas of Southington; niece Karen Strobel and husband Will; nephews Michael Nickolas and wife Faith, and David Nickolas and wife Laurie; and several grand nieces and grand nephews.