This Week's Obituaries

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Robert W. (Bob) Thompson of Sarasota, Fla. passed away peacefully May 1 with his children by his side. Bob was born Nov. 14, 1923 in Lagrange, IL the second son of Kenneth and Margaret Emmond Thompson. Bob possessed an advanced talent for the performing arts and after graduating from High School, he embarked on a career as a radio host in New York City.  After time in the Naval Air Command, Bob attended the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY and served as an able bodied seaman in WW II.

Returning to New York after the war, Bob was introduced to Anna Marie Frazier on a blind date. Bob told his friend afterwards, “I am going to marry that gal,” and sure enough, Bob and Marie were married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NY on July 27, 1946 and remained together in boundless love to one another for 64 years. The newlyweds located to Clarendon, Hills, Ill. Where Bob went to work at Thompson and Son’s, his father’s family business which produced commercial vacuum cleaners.

There they began their family which came to include 5 children- sons Robert, Michael & Stephen and daughters Jody & Kelly. In 1956, Bob’s new position of East Coast Sales Manager brought the Thompson’s to settle in Westport, Conn, to a house they aptly referred to as “Belly Acres”. Bob & Marie lived in Westport for the next 53 years, raising their brood with an appreciation of creativity, curiosity and humor. Bob was a volunteer fireman, little league coach and spent many hours trying to rid his yard of squirrels.

Bob remained a lover of the arts and letters. His voracious appetite for classic literature lead him to consume all volumes by Shakespeare, Dickens and numerous other authors. He wrote poetry, performed in community theatre, attended Broadway shows and had season tickets to all the local theatres. Bob and Marie traveled the world together for over 30 years, exploring every country in Europe. They often made the journey an impromptu adventure, charting their course only after arriving. But one of their favorite spots was right at home on their porch. It was a little bit of paradise, surrounded by trees & flowers, amongst the birdsong and distant ringing of church bells. It was a corner of the world where little of its unpleasantness intruded & they would sip weak coffee, smoke cigarettes and while away the day in idle chitchat.

His love for adventure and freedom is perfectly fitting to describe Bob’s outlook on life and was apparent in the manner that Bob used in weaving stories about his experience and those presented in history. Very few people have ever crafted storytelling and anecdotes with the pure genius offered by Bob’s intonations and expressiveness. Bob also enjoyed educating and nurturing his 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He enjoyed painting and creating art through drawing as well as the written word, usually typed on his old typewriter.

After Marie’s passing in 2010, Bob moved to Sarasota, Fla. to be near son Stephen. With Stephen's family, Bob continued to travel throughout the US and Canada, thrilled to see the Canadian Rockies, the Panama Canal or visit historic Civil War sites along the Mississippi on a cruise. Throughout his life Bob touched all who knew him with his wit, humor, insight, compassion, curiosity, and creativity; as well as his ability to listen, contemplate and advise. His devotion to Marie was the constant focus of his existence. He was a wonderful man and we loved him so. It's hard to imagine never again.

There will be no Services. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Susanna H. Wynne, 78, Cortez FL, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep May 3, 2014. Born February 25, 1936 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Susanna (Sue) moved to St. Thomas U.S.V.I. in 1960 with her husband, Basil H. Wynne (deceased). Together, they were captain & crew for sailing yachts. Sue was also a water ski instructor, worked for Pan Am and later became a travel agent.

During her 22 years in the islands she spent her time sailing, swimming, traveling and making friends. She moved to Florida in 1982 where she was a resident of the West coast historical fishing village of Cortez. Sue brought joy, love and laughter to everyone she knew. Her kind, gentle and loving heart helped, healed and inspired many. She was a devoted mother, and spending time with her grandchildren was her greatest joy.

Sue is survived by her daughter, Tanya Wynne Williams and son-in-law, Earl David Williams of Cortez, FL; grandchildren, Paul Arthur Williams and Sophie Inez Williams, FL; sisters, Maria Vermaak and Elsie Viljoen, both of South Africa; and thousands of friends worldwide.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future, to-be-determined date. To receive event information and offer condolences please visit: www.SusannaWynne.com. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sue's Red Cross Disaster Relief Memorial: www.redcross.org/SusannaWynne.

Robert L. Shahan, 88, Bradenton, FL, formerly of St. George, WV, and Twinsburg, OH, died on May 2, 2014. Son of Cyrus W. and Aleta Phillips Shahan.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ann M. Shahan; one child, Steven David and two grandchildren, Ashley Marie and Michael Robert; also a sister, Juanita Blackburn of VA and two brothers, Allen of WV and Donald and wife, Josephine of MD and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Robert graduated from the Saint George Academy in 1939, was a 1948 graduate of Davis and Elkins College and received a Masters Degree at WVU in 1954. After pursuing a teaching career of 33 years in WV, MD and OH which included coaching of basketball and football, Robert retired to Florida in 1992. Robert served in the US Air Force and was a Veteran of the Korean War.

A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church in Sarasota on Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. Arrangements by Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

John Mack Haynes, 83, Bradenton died April 20, 2014. Survived by wife, Norma, 4 sons, and 5 grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th St Chapel. Condolences www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

Robert B. Fieldhouse, 80, Bradenton, died April 30, 2014. Born in Jamestown, NY he moved to Bradenton in 1972, he was a Veteran of the US Navy during Korea, and he was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene.

Predeceased by his parents, Ben and Eva (nee Williams) Fieldhouse; sons, Tom & Ben Fieldhouse; daughter, Rebecca Fieldhouse; survived by wife of 42 years, Nadine of Bradenton, FL; step-sons, Rick and David Thor both of Jamestown, NY; step-daughters, Robin Songer-Cook of Pinckney, MI and Dianna Thor of Tucson, AZ; sister, Joanne Johnson of Jamestown, NY; 9 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren.

Memorial Service 2:00 PM Friday May 16, 2014 at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. Condolences to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.

John J. Petruff, 92, Bradenton, formerly of Miami, died on May 3, 2014 in Bradenton, FL.

Johnny was born 11/14/21 in Paterson, NJ to Anna and Stephen J. Petruff. He served as a Technician 5th grade in the US Army during World War II and was stationed in Australia. After the war he met his loving wife Laurene (d. 12/26/04). They married in 1948 and moved to Miami, FL in 1949. Johnny is survived by his three children and their families, John Petruff of Suffolk VA, Patricia A. Petruff of Bradenton, FL and Laurie Delimon of San Jose, CA. He also leaves behind several nephews and nieces.

Always a tinkerer, Johnny worked for Westinghouse as an X-ray technician. In the 1960’s he opened his own electronics repair business in Miami. Petruff Electronics grew from TV/radio repair, to include installation of master antennas, satellite dishes, cable TV, security cameras, alarm systems and controlled access systems at many private homes, hotels and condominium complexes all over the Miami area.

Johnny was a pilot and over the years he owned a number of small planes as well as a sign towing business. Johnny was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and was an active member of North Miami Elks Lodge # 1835.

Johnny loved music and was self taught on the electric keyboard. He was an avid dancer and enjoyed treating all the ladies to a turn on the dance floor. The family would like to extend their love and appreciation to Mary E. Schulte of Coral Gables, who has been Johnny’s friend, companion and dancing partner since 2005.

Interment will be private at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southeastern Guide Dog School.

Condolences for the family may be made online at www.shannonfuneralhomes.com.