Michael ‘Mike’ Evan Barnhart
Michael “Mike” Evan Barnhart, 81, of Anna Maria, died Sept. 2.
He was born March 15, 1943, in Madison, West Virginia, to Darrell and Vada Barnhart.
Mr. Barnhart dedicated 36 years of his life as a letter carrier in Madison before retiring and moving to Florida.
Memorial donations may be made to “Bring on the Ministry” in Bradenton or the Gideons.
“The family misses him dearly” and plans to hold a celebration of life later this year.
Mr. Barnhart is survived by his wife Janet; sons Christopher and Philip; and sister Patricia and their families.
Eugene ‘Geno’ Ciliberti
Eugene “Geno” Ciliberti, 93, died Aug. 27.
He was born Dec. 3, 1930, in Philadelphia to Angelo and Angela Ciliberti, his “two angels.”
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1948. He fought in the Korean War in 1950. He was wounded and evacuated from action in the Chosin Reservoir campaign.
He worked with IBM for 35 years as a senior technical educator. After leaving IBM, he and his wife, Sophia, formed G&S Associates, a training and consulting company and led seminars for management and employees of Fortune 500 firms around the world. He dissolved the company in 1990, when his wife died.
He retired to Anna Maria Island in 1997 and became an author, publishing several books. He spoke to support groups and published a blog site. He furthered his education when he was 80 years old, earning his doctorate in counseling psychology. He was a key speaker at The Islander’s annual Veterans Day celebration in Holmes Beach.
Interment with military honors will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Ciliberti is survived by his children, Rachel A. and Maria and husband Chris Keatts of Tampa, and Richard J. of St. Augustine.
A love story
Gene Ciliberti died Aug. 27. He lived on Anna Maria Island for many years and loved the island life. In 2014, he published a book to share the stories and photos he cherished. The publication was a redo of a book he published 13 years prior, “Anna Maria Island, A Tour Through Paradise.” “It’s not a picture book, it’s a love story. It’s all about how much I love Anna Maria Island,” Ciliberti said. The book was sold for a nominal fee at outlets on AMI. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy
Carolyn Grant Harrison Pepka
Carolyn Grant Harrison Pepka, 83, of Bradenton and formerly of Anna Maria, died Sept. 4.
She was born Feb. 21, 1941, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, to Adelaide Hall Mahan Harrison and Hezekiah Noblet Harrison.
She resided many years on the island and then Bradenton. She worked for the Island Players, contributing to the production of many plays, and also contributed photos to The Islander in the 1990s. The Islander once received an award for a spot news photo by Mrs. Pepka.
She was loved by her three children and her greatest passions were the beach, caring for sea (and land) animals and her family.
Her home was always open to family and friends and she hosted many gatherings over the years, resulting in cherished, life-long memories.
Her wishes include joining the sea life in the Anna Maria waters that she loved. Family and friends are welcome to celebrate and remember her beautiful soul anytime they are near the sea.
Mrs. Pepka is survived by her children, Herbert Bean and wife Cynthia, Jessie Leigh Bolinsky Fitzgerald and husband Terry, and Carolyn Fiore and husband David; grandchildren Isabelle Bean, Leo Bean, William Bolinsky, Colton Fiore and Corey Fiore; nieces and nephews Heather Hondros and husband Phil, Melissa Scheetz, Heather Bilardo and Billy Harrison.
Brewster Charles Seewald
Bewster “Bruce” Charles Seewald, 96, of Holmes Beach, and Andover, Maine, died Aug. 30.
He was born to Edith and Charles Seewald May 12, 1928, in Medford, Maine.
He was a proud World War II veteran who joined the Navy at 17 years old.
He loved to travel, boat, fish and play golf. An engineer by trade, coupled with his sense of adventure, he ran his business, Seewald Corp., a small import-export company that specialized in custom plastics and electronics, and traveled the world.
He always was willing to lend a hand to anyone in need and spent many hours volunteering with his wife of 66 years, Priscilla. He was active in the church and a longtime member of Roser Memorial Community Church in Anna Maria.
His community and friends were very important to him.
He was a member of the Anna Maria Island Power Squadron, Key Royale Club, Center of Anna Maria Island, Moose Lodge and many other organizations.
A Memorial Service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., with a burial service to follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota.
Memorial donations may be made to Roser Church, P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria FL 34216, or Lighthouse for the Blind, lighthouseeducationcenter.org/donate/.
Brown and Sons is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Seewald is survived by daughter Lisa and husband Wayne Turner, as well as two grandchildren.
Capt. Arnold ‘Soupy’ Davis
Capt. Arnold “Soupy” Davis, 97, of Bradenton, died Sept. 4.
He was born Jan. 6, 1927, in Parker, to Charles and Mary Davis.
After graduating from high school in 1945, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. In his early years, he was a charter boat captain for the Anderson Fleet, later becoming owner of the Best Bet.
One of his greatest joys in life was entertaining people with his musical talent. He sang and played the fiddle, mandolin and guitar.
Visitation was to be noon-1 p.m. with a service to follow at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Bradenton Chapel, 912 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton.
Mr. Davis is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and many close and dear friends that were a special part of his life.
Capt. Soupy Davis died Sept. 4. He will be remembered for his contributions to Music on The Porch at the Burton-Bratton store on the Florida Maritime Museum campus in Cortez. Islander File Photo