Tom Henry Conwell, 50, of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 25, 2017, in the care of Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations – Nassau

The funeral service for Robert Lee “Rob” Gray will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the River of Praise Worship Center, 83410 St. Mark Drive, Yulee. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 2, at St. James Baptist Church, C.R. 108, Yulee. Interment in Elmore Wilds Cemetery.

Funerals by T.S. Warden, Jacksonville

Joseph Horton of Yulee passed away Monday, May 29, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Elaine G. Nelson, 71, of Fernandina Beach passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Esther Josephine Pierce, 94, passed away Sunday, May 28, 2017, while residing at Quality Health of Fernandina Beach.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Carroll William Scott Jr., 68, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017.

Green Pine Funeral Home, Cremations & Cemetery

Memorial services for Nancy Louise Thornton will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at Yulee United Methodist Church.

Green Pine Funeral Home Cremations & Cemetery

The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among his followers, gives not of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of his own mind. - By Kahlil Gibran

Rychard S. Cook II, called home by our Lord on July 19, 2016, was the youngest of three siblings. His life was shared by older sisters who preceded him in death: Dr. Nettie Cook- Dove (Joshua Jr.) and Laura Lee Cook. The three were reared by his mother's oldest sister, the late Ms. Annie M. Cook, an elementary school teacher and strict disciplinarian to whom good manners were imperative.

A native Fernandinian, Rychard grew up in the Sunday School of First Missionary Baptist church and received his early secular education at Peck High School, where as a student he entered and won a song writing contest that gave Peck High its Alma Mater. In 1951, along with his classmate Mrs. Vernita Johnson Holmes, he graduated as Co-Valedictorian. He received a four year scholarship from the state of Florida and attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. In 1955, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, and in 1963, he earned a Master of Arts degree in School Librarianship at the University of Denver in Colorado.

Mr. Cook’s stellar career in the educational field was inspired by three outstanding individuals, all now deceased: Mrs. Mamie T. Jordan (music), Mrs. Edythe J. Thurston (communication skills), and Mrs. Dorothy Sanford Love (librarian extraordinaire). For his life’s work, Rychard chose librarianship as a profession and music as his avocation.

Mr. Cook began his teaching career in Nassau County at Peck High School as a substitute teacher. After two weeks, he became a full time teacher at Milner-Rosen Wald Academy in Mt. Dora, Florida. As a Miami-Dade County public school employee, Mr. Cook has taught at West Homestead Elementary-Junior High School, Dunbar Elementary, Miami Northwestern Senior High, Coral Park Senior High, Miami Jackson High, Horace Mann Middle, Holmes and Westview elementary schools. Mr. Cook retired from Westview Elementary as a Media Specialist on June 18, 1999, after spending 42 years of dedicated service in Florida's public schools. An avid reader, Mr. Cook spent hours reading mystery novels and researching African-American history and culture. He was a devoted Toni Morrison fan. He encouraged many African Americans to learn more about their roots, during his serious study of Black History. In 1967, he founded the Afro-Americans, a readers’ theatre group that included his childhood friend Dessie Horne Williams, and which promoted the study of Black History and Culture through its prose, poetry, and song.

Mr. Cook was a life member of the Zora Neale Hurston Society, and was affiliated with the Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida, The Theodore R. Gibson Oratorical and Declamation Contest, The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community Inc., William J. Faulkner's Friends of Folklore, The American Library Association, and Dade County Media Specialist Association. Those organizations provided Mr. Cook with many excellent opportunities for the rendering of community service, an activity to which he brought serious and steadfast commitment.

Mr. Cook's extensive travels took him to such places as West Africa, England, Germany, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, Iceland, Canada, The Caribbean, France, and Italy. From his travels, he gained a variety of diverse cultural experiences, which he generously shared with family, friends, students, churches, colleges, and universities.

In addition to being an enthusiastic collector of Black Art, first edition books, and collector plates, Mr. Cook was the recipient of a variety of awards including: 1995 Teacher of the Year Award, from Holmes Elementary School; Eighth Annual Sistrunk Historical Festival Award, Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1995; Florida International University Service Awards for 5, 10, 15, and 25 years of service; and Eighth Annual Theodore R. Gibson Project Award, 1986

Mr. Cook completed 26 years of service as a librarian at Florida National University. His life ambition was to complete his writings on the life and works of Zora Neal Hurston.

Until his demise, Mr. Cook received loving and around- the- clock care in the Orlando home of his son Dave Thompson and wife Elizabeth .Their sons Kristian and David loved their Grandfather dearly and spent many happy hours listening to his wonderful stories and receiving the benefit of his wise counsel.

Mr. Cook leaves to mourn his passing: His Son Dave (Elizabeth) Thompson of Orlando Florida. Grandchildren: Kristian Thompson of Miami Florida and David Thompson of Orlando Florida. Special friend who shared the same passion of wanting to help youth reach their fullest potential: Dessie Horne Williams of Miami Florida. Nephews: Joshua Kenneth Dove III.  & Richard Holland. Nieces: Beverly Dove (Leo) Ross, of Richmond, VA and .Ingrid Bernadette Dove of Atlanta Georgia. Grand Niece: Joy Nicole Ross. Grand Nephew: Raymond Williams and Joshua Kenneth (Angelique) Dove VI. Cousin: Yvonne Fisher. Goddaughters: Rosemarie Crocker, Almeta Birch & L. Ann Cumbie-Patterson (Lester). Godsons: Robert Battle of New York, Evan MacArthur of Japan and Petty officer Aston Cumbie Farquharson of Honolulu, Hawaii. Extended Family members: Joe &Eula Johnson, Earl Robinson, Ron Henry, Roy Moultry, Veronica Wellington, Charles (Bridgette) MacArthur, Bernice Horne Edgecombe-Tel-Saint (Amelius). And many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

He will be sorely missed.  

Memorial services will be held at, The First Missionary Baptist Church on Friday August 5 2016 at 6:00pm.22 South 9th Street, Fernandina Beach FL 32034.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Nassau County Community Development Corporation, Inc. for the Rychard-Lottie-Annie Cook Scholarship. Address: P.O. Box 16382, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

Daniel R. Cahill age 79 of Fernandina Beach FL passed away Monday June 12, 2017.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mrs. Yvonne Fort Crow, 76, of Yulee, passed away June 4, 2017 at the Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach.

She was born February 23, 1941 to the late Willie and Gladys (Sikes) Jones.  She had worked as a supervisor at Beaver Street Fisheries in Jacksonville.

She was preceded in death by two brothers; two sisters; her first husband, Carlton Fort, in 1983; her second husband, Dan Crow, in 2010; and her son, Randy Fort, in 1974.

She leaves behind her daughters, Debbie Fort Struble (Ronnie) of Yulee, Angela Fort Haas (Chuck) of Yulee, Kaye Fort Normandin (Mark) of Fernandina Beach, and Faye Fort Lucas (Ricky) of Fernandina Beach; 9 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren with two more on the way.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at Blackrock Baptist Church on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 11 .m. with Pastor John Kasper officiating.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Warner Center for Caring and Blackrock Baptist Church.

Ms. Lanae Miller Pulice, age 63 of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away on Monday morning, June 12, 2017 at the Warner Center for Caring.

Born in Panama City, Fla., she was the only child born to the late Billy Gene and Ouida Josephine Miller.  As a child, her family moved with her father’s career in the United States Air Force which allowed her graduation from high school while living in Wiesbaden, Germany. Upon completing high school and returning to the U.S., she attended Florida State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education. She taught for a short time in California before coming to Fernandina Beach in August of 1979.  After settling here, she taught Special Education and elementary education in the Nassau County public school system until retiring from Yulee Primary School in 2014. While teaching, she completed her master’s degree in education at the University of North Florida, was chosen as Nassau County “Teacher of the Year” and was one of the first teachers to obtain National Board Certification in the county.

She was a devoted mother, beloved friend, avid Florida State Seminole fan, fervent animal lover, whether it be her dogs, cats or horses. 

She was of the Methodist faith.

Ms. Pulice leaves behind her son, John “Jay” Miller Pulice, and his wife, Crystal, of Orlando, Fla.; her daughter, Ashley Pulice Mills, and her husband, William, of Chapin, S.C.; her former husband, John Pulice, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; an aunt and uncle, Mary Nell and Folly Wood, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; an aunt, Sonja Miller, of Tallahassee, Fla.; and a granddaughter, Charley Pulice.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard with Reverend Drew Wessman, officiating.

Her family will receive friends on Saturday, at the funeral home, from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service.

Please share her Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors 

Mr. Hugh A. Latimer, 91, passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at the Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Ruth Nutter 96, of Fernandina Beach, Florida passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 in the care of the Community Hospice-Warner Center-Nassau.

Eternity Funeral Homes & Cremations

James Powers passed away April 14, 2017. A Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2017, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Alan Frank Brodnick, age 71, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., passed away on Wednesday morning, June 14, 2017 at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Fla.

Born in Steelton, Pa., he grew up there and was a 1963 graduate of Steelton High School. After high school, he attended the New York Institute of Technology, from where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in computer science. He then attended Troy University in Troy, Ala., where he earned his master’s degree. Mr. Brodnick had lived in the Endicott / Binghamton, NY area, where he worked for IBM before transferring to Raleigh, N.C. He remained with IBM as a Computer Software Logistics Engineer thirty-two years before retiring in June of 2000. At the time of his retirement, he moved to Fernandina Beach.

As a young father in Raleigh, he enjoyed coaching and supporting his son’s sports interests and was an avid collector of Lionel Trains and an authority on American History.

Mr. Brodnick was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a lifelong member of the Episcopal church.

He leaves behind, his wife, Sara Maria Brodnick, Fernandina Beach, Fla.; his sons, Ethan Brodnick and his wife, Heather, Raleigh, N.C., Tyler Brodnick and his wife, Terri, Youngsville, N.C.; his sister, Jerlynn B. Taylor; two grandchildren, Ashley and Seth Brodnick; cousins to include, Angela and Dorothy; and a niece, Kim, and nephew, Bill.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with the Reverend Rector Stephen Mazingo officiating.

Mr. Brodnick will be laid to rest in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

His family will receive friends on Friday from 5-7 p.m. at Oxley Heard.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 801 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034.

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Daniel Ross Cahill Sr., age 79 of Amelia Island, Fla. passed away on Monday evening, June 12, 2017 at the Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.

An amazing man, he was born in Teaneck, N.J. in 1937. He had lived in Haworth, Trenton and Princeton, N.J. from age 11.

He was an Eagle Scout and met Einstein, who gave him a pass to the Princeton University Cyclatron laboratory. He also had breakfast with Robert Oppenheimer.

Mr. Cahill was a 1956 graduate of Princeton High, attended Rutgers University, where he studied mechanical engineering, and was a member of the Delta Phi fraternity.

In 1959, he began working as a printed circuit designer for Applied Science Corp. of Princeton.  He later became a junior engineer for Applied Science and worked on the U.S. Satellite Explorer I, launched in 1960 with President Eisenhower’s voice.

Later in 1960, he went to work for Computer Assoc., Inc. as junior engineer and designer for Inter-Continental Ballistic plotting board where he obtained a top-secret clearance.

In 1959, met his future wife, Carol Louise Ellis, whom he would marry in May of 1961.   Shortly afterwards, the newlyweds moved to Rhode Island, where he studied art and architecture at Rhode Island School of Design. He transferred to Columbia University School of Architecture, where he obtained his Bachelor of Architectural degree in 1967.   From 1968 to 1970, he worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as an architectural designer in the Rail Planning Division, which included the design of Journal Square Transportation Center, Jersey City, N.J., among others.

In 1971, Mr. Cahill became a Licensed and Registered Architect and a 50/50 partner with Levon Khachadourian, with whom he had apprenticed in Bloomfield, N.J.

In 1970, he bought the abandoned Neshanic Mill, which had been originally built in 1876. He renovated the mill into his family home where, where he and his family lived for 22 years. While living in Hillsborough Township, Mr. Cahill was involved in many civic activities and a member of Rotary International.

In 1976, he became a Licensed Professional Planner. For his later work in the design of planned multifamily residential developments, he received an AIA design award for Union Gap Village and Tower Hill Village.

In 1979 he started his own firm, Cahill, Prato and McAvery Architectural Planners. In years following, he was asked to speak at a Princeton University Interface Seminar, the Multi-Housing Nevada Convention in St. Louis and at the New Orleans Superdome. He later formed CPM Interiors Group, New York City, N.Y.

In 1982, he received a land planning award for The Meadows of Hillsborough, NJ, a planned residential community. In 1983, he formed The Cahill Partnership and opened an office in Jacksonville, FL.

Mr. Cahill was recognized by being appointed to the Mercer-Somerset Middlesex Regional Planning Council Board of Directors, received a land planning award for Country Side Manors in Bernards Township, N.J. and an Award of Excellence from the Builders Assoc. of Somerset & Morris Counties for the Spring Ridge Community.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol E. Cahill, Amelia Island, Fla.; their son, Daniel R. Cahill Jr. and his wife Cari, Yulee, Fla.; siblings, Ann Caton (Burt), Vero Beach, Fla., Tom Cahill, Trenton, N.J., Maureen Stevens, Princeton, N.J., Peter Lappan (Glenda), East Lansing, Mich., Richard Lappan, Trenton, N.J., Charles Lappan (Corrie), Texas, Robert Lappan, Somerville, N.J., William Lappan (Lorraine), Herndon, Va.; two grandsons, Daniel III and Christopher; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 16, 2017, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard with Chaplain Jackie Hayes officiating.

Mr. Cahill will be laid to rest in Bosque Bello Cemetery.

His family will receive friends on Friday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the hour of service.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Baptist Nassau Hospital or Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, 4266 Sunbeam Road Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Joseph M. "Joe Joe" Horton, 61, passed away Monday morning, May 29, 2017 at his Yulee, Fla. residence.

He was born August 27, 1955 in Lake City, Fla. and moved to Yulee 21 years ago.  

He was a veteran of the United States Army. Mr. Horton enjoyed gardening and loved to spend time with his family and friends. He loved to talk to people about the Lord.

He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Patty Horton of Yulee, FL; three sons, Caleb Michael Horton, Jacob Lovette Horton and Thomas Michael Applewhite, all of Yulee; his parents, George and Margaret Horton of Lake City, Fla.; his mother-in-law, Martha Jane Russ of Yulee; two brothers, Jim Horton of Yulee and Randy Horton of Lake City; and two sisters, Ester McCoy (Steve) and Lisa Cowart, both of Lake City.

There will be a ceremony celebrating his life at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at 943 Northwest Brown Road, Lake City, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Gabriel House at the Mayo Clinic: Gabriel House of Care, 4599 Worrall Way, Jacksonville, FL 32224 or online at www.gabrielhouseofcare.org.

To sign Mr. Horton's online register book please visit the Green Pine website at www.greenpinefuneral.com.

Joe Joe had a love for life and lived life to the fullest every day.

Green Pine Funeral Home

Mr. Eric “ERock” Scott Rasmussen, age 37 of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Thursday morning, June 15, 2017 in Orlando, Fla.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., he was the son of Merle Rasmussen and Patti Farmer Duncan. Eric came to Fernandina Beach at the age of 14 and attended Fernandina Beach High School. Making the shores of Northeast Florida his home, he has worked as wait staff team member and bartender at the Palace, Crabtrap and in Jacksonville at Kickbacks and Mavericks.

Eric was a free spirit and found joy and pleasure in most circumstances. He always found the silver lining in every cloud.

Eric leaves behind his mother, Patti Duncan and her husband, Doug, Fernandina Beach, Fla.; his father, Merle Rasmussen and his wife, Judi, Blue Springs, Mo.; his paternal grandmother, Eleanor Rasmussen, Ocala, Fla.; his sisters and brothers, Melanie Paten, Murrieta, Calif., Ed Paten, Altamont Springs, Fla., Kristine Wortham, Fernandina Beach, Fla., Joseph Duncan III, Austin, Texas, Beth Osterhaven, Ada, Mich.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 6:30 pm Tuesday, June 20, 2017, in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard, where the family will also receive friends from 5-8 pm.

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Lawrence A. Grabenstein, age 70 of Fernandina Beach, passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, June 16, 2017 at the Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla., with Cheryl, his wife of 26 years, by his side. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in June 2016

Born in Cumberland, Md., he was the son of the late Herman Joseph and Irene Rita Ley Grabenstein. He was a graduate of LaSalle High School and obtained his bachelor degree from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1968. From 1968 to 1973, Larry taught political science at Good Counsel High School located in Wheaton, Md. He later earned his master degree in political science from the University of Maryland. In 1973, Larry began his career in the investment field, with Potomac Financial Group in Calverton, Md. In 1983, he joined Raymond James, where he was the first adviser to receive top honors for 25 consecutive years. He successfully ran his business until transitioning to Wike Financial in 2012.

Larry was a long-time member of the Terrapin Club, and he began his personal involvement with the organization until the early 1990s. He served as Terrapin Club president and was an integral part of the Maryland Gridiron Network. He was also an M Club member. He was the 2017 Jack Heise Lifetime Acheivement Award winner. In 2012, he and his wife moved to Amelia Island, Fla., where he was active with the Museum of History as a docent.

He leaves behind his wife, Cheryl C. Grabenstein; four children, Allison Oliver, Mike Grabenstein, Kara Lanzillo and Jenna Kernus; his mother, Irene Grabenstein; 10 grandchildren; two brothers; a sister; and nieces and nephews.

 The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2017, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 4202 Norbeck Road, Rockville, Md., 20853, with the Reverend Father Patrick Carrion, Celebrant.

Please share his Life Story and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla., 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Mr. Hugh Alfred (Hal) Latimer passed away on Wednesday evening, June 14, 2017, at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.  He was 91 and a resident of Amelia Island since 1981.

Hal was born to Claude Alfred and Ethel Schwetje Latimer on April 11, 1926, in Holyoke, Mass. He grew up in Mamaroneck, N.Y. and attended college at what is now Virginia Tech. He put college on hold between 1944-45 to join the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he returned to Virginia Tech and completed his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He later completed a master of business administration degree in 1992.

Hal joined the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia in Richmond, Va. in 1948. There, he met and married his wife of 51 years, Alice Marye Finke, who predeceased him. They lived in Richmond, Va.; Arlington, Va.; Charleston, W.V.; Chatham, N.J.; Barrington, Ill.; and Buckhannon, W.V. before settling on Amelia Island.

He served “Bell System” companies for 33 years, retiring in 1981 from Illinois Bell Telephone Company as its chief financial officer. He then served from 1981 to 1986 as president of West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree. In 1987, he founded Island Aviation Services, which provided fixed base operation services for the Fernandina Municipal Airport for ten years. In 2001, he founded HAL, Inc. to provide tax and accounting services for clients in the Amelia Island Area.

His lifelong passions were aviation, golf, classical music and his beloved Virginia Tech Hokies.

Hal and Alice were active in the churches they attended, and he was involved in the building of the Amelia Plantation Chapel. He was also active in the organization of the Amelia Island Club and served as its first president between 1995‐97. He also served on the board of directors of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in the 1990s and again in the 2000s.

Predeceased by his sister, Viola, he is survived by his sons, Hugh Scot Latimer (Nancy) of Evergreen, Colo., and Paul Louis Latimer; and four granddaughters, Stephanie Latimer of Albuquerque, N.M., Anne Latimer of Denver, Colo., Carrie Latimer of Denver, Colo., and Amanda Latimer of Kenosha, Wis.

A memorial service will be held at the Amelia Plantation Chapel on July 15.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Amelia Plantation Chapel or the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors

Dr. Hugh L. LeBlanc passed away on June 7, 2017, at his residence at Amelia Island. He was born in Tallulah, La., in 1927.

Hugh received his bachelor degree from Louisiana State University, his master degree from University of Tennessee and his doctorate from the University of Chicago.

Hugh served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from 1945-46 after enlisting at the age of 17 and again in 1952-1955, rising to the rank of lieutenant junior grade. He spent his academic career at George Washington University, where he was a professor of political science for 35 years and voted chairman of the department three times. One of Hugh’s proudest professional moments was when students elected him the outstanding professor. Hugh was the author of numerous political science articles and textbooks.

After a long-term residency in Lake Barcroft, Va., Hugh moved to Amelia Island, where he enjoyed the sea and golf with his wife of 64 years, Shirley. In addition to Shirley, he is survived by his daughter, Leslie LeBlanc of Nicholasville, Ky.; and his son, Alex of Kensington, Md.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the American Red Cross.