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WEST ORANGE OBITUARIES
WINDERMERE OBSERVER
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OrangeObserver.com
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016
JOSEPH CHARLES HEMBROOKE JR. DIED JULY 6, 2016
Joseph Charles Hembrooke Jr., of Ocoee, Florida, passed away Wednesday, July 6, 2016. He was 81. Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 3, 1935, to Frances Adelaide (Kelsey) Hembrooke and Joseph Charles Hembrooke. He graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from what is now The College at Brockport, State University of New York, majoring in health and physical education. While teaching near his home on Long Island, New York, he began furthering his education, leading to a degree in educational administration. He served as Principal of Horseheads High School, Horseheads, New York, from 1971 till 1978, when he took a position as Delaware Valley Central School District Superintendent of Schools in Callicoon, New York. He retired from education in 1985. Growing up, Joe and his family spent the summers at the family’s summer home at Lake George and, while at home in Brooklyn, he developed a love for baseball, which evolved into a continuing passion for the New York Mets. Joe had umpired the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and, since moving to Ocoee, Florida, in 1965, served as an umpire for the local Little Leagues program. In 2015, he was recognized by Ocoee Little League for his years of volunteerism and dedication to the players. Although baseball was in his blood, he was a fan, coach and official of other sports. While at Delaware Valley, he officiated girls’ soccer and was respected and admired as a fair and knowledgeable official who was
received warmly by opposing teams when he was on the field. His love of education was not just about books and learning. It reached far deeper into his love of people — his faculty, staff, students and their families. He was fair in administering, was willing to join in on the fun, but maintained professionalism and respect even when he donned a cheerleading outfit because the girls didn’t have the required coach to maintain the squad, or donned a rabbit costume to promote the school’s production of “Harvey.” His students loved and appreciated him but still knew he was in a position of authority. Joe touched thousands of young lives over the years as principal and administrator, but he also served on the Board of Directors for Outstanding Young Americans, was a state director for America’s National Teenager and Pre-Teen programs; and, in 1981, was instrumental in creating America’s Favorite Pageants, a program where girls could compete based on academics, volunteer service and personality. In 2003, he and his wife founded S.T.A.R.S. of West Orange Inc. (Supplies To Assist ouR Students), a program providing backpacks and basic school supplies to students from economically challenged students in West Orange County, Florida. Joe’s smile and sense of humor were always apparent, whether on the field, in the classroom, public speaking, at church or in the community.
He provided encouragement, guidance and support to those in need and was ready to offer a helping hand. As a member of St. Pauls Presbyterian Church in Ocoee, he served as a deacon and an elder and on various committees, including the Mission Team, where his organizational skills and expertise took him to the Board of Directors of Bread of Life Fellowship Inc., where he served as vice president. In May 2005, he was named Member of the Month by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and received the West Orange Chamber of Commerce Community Champion Award for community service as a resident of the City of Ocoee that same year. He was an active member of the Chamber’s Education Committee and Events Team and always willing to assist when needed. The Silver Bend Homeowners Association recognized him for his many years of dedicated leadership and service as president, as well as volunteer. In 2013 he was co-recipient of the coveted Disney Mouscar for his years of service providing backpacks and basic school supplies to local students and stimulating increased community awareness for other organizations to organize programs similar to S.T.A.R.S. to assist even more students. He married the late Joan Cummings Oct. 7, 1956, and they had three children, Timothy Scott, Helene Ann and Kathleen Ann. Joe is survived by his wife, Chesta (Filer) Hembrooke; daughters, Helene (Carri Jean) and Kathleen (Jackie Satterly); 10 grandchildren, Erica Hembrooke (Jessica Richards), Kristy Clark, Timothy (Ashlyn) Hembrooke II, Natalie (Tim) Jennings, Andrew (Abbey) Clark, Leslie Hembrooke, Tara
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MARY JANE SHANER DIED JULY 2, 2016
Albion, New York: Mary Jane Shaner, age 96, passed away on July 2, 2016, at Medina Memorial Hospital in Medina, New York. She was born May 16, 1920, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to the late Harvey and Gertrude Costlow. Mary Jane is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Richard) Peoples of Ocoee, Florida, Barbara (Doug) Morey of Albion, New York, Judith (Bruce) Liddle of Schoharie, New York; sons, Melvin (Elizabeth) Shaner of Shawboro, North Carolina, Alvin (Anita) Shaner of North Huntington, Pennsylvania; sister, Nancy Wallace; brothers, Dan (Annie) Costlow, Jim (Virginia) Costlow; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. There are no prior calling hours. Mary Jane’s memorial service will be held at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home Inc., 21 West Ave., Albion, New York, at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17. Memorial contributions in Mary Jane’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312; or to a charity of one’s choice. To share a special memory of Mary Jane, please visit christophermitchell.com. DAVID J. “PA” BARRETT DIED JULY 9, 2016
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Hembrooke, Victoria Hembrooke, Alexis Hembrooke and Dylan Hembrooke-Turner; five great-grandchildren, Peyton Jennings, Ava Albright, Hudson Hembrooke, Greyson Richards and Timothy Jennings; and many, many close and dear friends who became extended family to him. A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, 2016 in the Sanctuary Chapel at Quest Church (formerly St. Pauls Presbyterian Church) in Ocoee, located at 1450 Citrus Oaks Avenue, Gotha, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to please consider making a donation to Bread of Life Fellowship Inc. in Joe’s name at BreadOfLifeFellowship. com. Condolences may be offered at BaldwinFairchild.com. Arrangements under the direction of Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Winter Garden, Florida.
407-656-2233 • www.baldwinfairchild.com 428 E. Plant Street • Winter Garden, FL 34787
David J. “Pa” Barrett, 66 of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on July 9, 2016, in his home sur-
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rounded by family. He was born on Dec. 19, 1949, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, to parents Thomas Barrett and Betty Barrett. Dave grew up on a farm and carried that necessary work ethic throughout his life. David was a graduate of West Hazleton High School, where he played football, and went on to play at East Stroudsburg University, where he received a bachelor’s in business administration. He also received an MBA from Syracuse University. David began his career at Continental Can - White Cap in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he served in various capacities and was ultimately plant manager. He worked as CEO for various venture capitalist holding companies, including Scovill Fasteners and LTI (Georgia), US Traffic and Color Spot Nurseries (California), Growing Family (Missouri), Monessan Hearth (Kentucky) and GPSI (Florida). As president and CEO of various corporations, he spread a culture of hard work, integrity and happiness. He served on the board of both Regions Bank in North Georgia and North Georgia Technical Institute. He was also a member of the Ocoee Golf Leagues. David was an avid golfer and enjoyed the outdoors. His favorite activity was spending time with his family. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Those he loved most called him Pa. He will be missed by all who knew him. David is survived by his wife of 45 years, Nancy Martnick Barrett; his children, David Barrett of Alpharetta, Georgia, Sarah Barrett Bobilin of Clermont, Florida, and Andrew Barrett of Winter Garden, Florida; and eight grandchildren, Barrett, Benjamin, Annabelle, Stellie, Jacob, P.J., Micah and Joseph. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Barrett Lopez, and his brothers, Thomas Barrett, Ronald Barrett and Richard “Skitch” Barrett. Visitation was held at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home in Winter Garden from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 13. His funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14. In lieu of flowers, David has requested donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and MD Anderson Research Center.
What you’re holding in your hands is the product of more than a year of planning. It’s the product of our wildest dreams — a bold step for a company that last month celebrated our 110th anniversary. Welcome, readers, to the first edition of the Windermere Observer, a sister paper of the West Orange Times & Observer, which has roots that date back to the Winter Garden Ricochet in 1905. For more than a century, our newspaper — through all its previous owners and iterations — covered the entire West Orange region with just one edition. Today, that changes. Put simply: West Orange has grown too large for one hyperlocal community newspaper. For longtime readers: this new Windermere Observer will cover Windermere, Horizon West,
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Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn strikes the only suitable pose when holding a glass from “The Godfather.”
Since the 1980s — far longer than he has been mayor of Windermere — Gary Bruhn has collected and sold movie memorabilia. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4
YOUR TOWN SCOTT APPOINTS AREA RESIDENT Gov. Rick Scott announced Sept. 18 two appointments and one reappointment to the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. Robert Gidel Sr., of Windermere,