Ernest Casali Jr.
Ernie Casali Jr., the administrator of the Anna Maria Moose Lodge 2188 in Bradenton Beach, died March 3.
The lodge, on its Facebook page, said the notice of Casali’s death was delivered with “a sad and heavy heart.”
The lodge said “Ernie C.” will be remembered “for all the amazing things he has done for the Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188” and called him the “heart and soul that created our lodge, that we all enjoy today.
“Without his vision, dedication and hard work, we would be just another spot on the map, instead of the wonderful and unique lodge that we have here.”
Islander publisher Bonner Joy said, “Ernie had a soft heart, and one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever known.”
A full notice is planned for The Islander’s March 13 edition.
Judith Ann Butts Egan
Judith Ann Butts Egan, 83, died Feb. 20, with her family by her side.
She was born in West Palm Beach to Jessie and Clarence Butts and grew up in Delray Beach, where she graduated from Seacrest High School.
Her family owned Butts Farms in Boca Raton, and their produce was sent by train as far north as Boston. Later, her family donated farmland where Florida Atlantic University was built.
She attended Meredith College in North Carolina, where she studied fashion design. She worked in the banking industry in Miami and Jacksonville, where she met her future husband, Jack Egan.
They started their family in Gainesville, while he attended law school. Eventually they settled into their beach house on Anna Maria Island, where they enjoyed watching sunsets together for more than 50 years.
She enjoyed making local fare of coquina chowder, fried shiners and seagrape daiquiris.
She passed down her love for fishing to her daughters and grandchildren.
She was a wonderful wife, loving mother, proud and generous grandmother. She loved to laugh and share her love and kindness with family and cherished friends.
She leaves a legacy filled with wonderful memories.
A celebration of life will be held noon-2 p.m. Sunday, March 10, in the Galleria at the Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW, Bradenton.
Mrs. Egan is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jack; daughters Shawn and husband Marc Blum of Longwood, Erin and husband Scott Kosfeld of Anna Maria and Shea and husband Craig Nesbitt of Cedar Park, Texas; grandchildren Logan and Trent Blum, Mackenzie and Mallory Kosfeld, Connor and Ryan Nesbitt; and a covey of nieces and nephews.
Bridget ‘Gida’ M. Di Lena
Bridget “Gida” M. (Arpaia) Di Lena, 86, of Bradenton and formerly of Holmes Beach, died Jan 10.
She was born March 5, 1932, in Bisaccia, Italy, and came through Montclair, New Jersey, to Sarasota-Bradenton in 1957 with her husband, Vincent, after receiving her elementary teacher diploma.
She was a devoted wife, loving mother and talented woman. She was a professional seamstress, creating custom designs and alterations, a nursery school teacher, and an amazing cook. She was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul The Apostles Catholic Church, Catholic Women’s Association and Our Lady Rosary Makers.
She was married to Vincent A., her childhood sweetheart, for 50 years.
A celebration of life and Mass will be at Ss. Peter and Paul Church Saturday, March 9.
Mrs. Di Lena is survived by her daughter Anita of Tallahassee, sons Michael and wife Cathy of Gainesville and Steve Hannan of Bradenton.
Derwin ‘Doug’ Moore
Derwin “Doug” Moore, 61, died Feb. 20.
He was born Jan. 17, 1958, in Canton, Ohio, to Ellis and June.
He was a long-haul truck driver before he came to Florida, where he worked at Westbay Cove condominiums in Holmes Beach for 25 years with his friend, Jim Carden.
He was a one-of-a-kind person, truly funny, kind and loving to all he met, and he will be missed.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Bayside Community Church, 6609 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice of Ellenton, 4151 37th St. E., Palmetto FL 34221. Arrangements were by Covell Funeral Home.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Joanne; mother June; father-in-law Rudy Caminite; and many friends who loved him dearly.
Barry Newhart
Barry Newhart, 76, of Holmes Beach, died Feb. 28. He was born April 9, 1942, in Cincinnati to Les and Hilda.
He attended Sarasota High School and graduated from Stetson University.
Later, Mr. Newhart moved back to Sarasota, where he met his loving wife of 52 years, Elaine Grace Salem.
They settled down in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they raised their son and two daughters. He was the most caring, loving and supportive father, husband, grandfather and business partner/employer.
He always sacrificed his needs for the good of his family and loved ones.
He was a businessman at heart from a young age and a hard worker.
He also enjoyed golfing, playing the bass and piano, and spending time with his family and friends.
He was loved by many and his influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew him.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Torry and Carmine Vitolo; son Bryson; daughter and son-in-law Lauren and Colin Bourgoing; and granddaughters Zoé and Ella.