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In Memory
The Dash Poem
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard…
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
That can still be rearranged
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile…
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
by Linda Ellis Arlene Frances Barnhill Owen Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2013 Geraldine Anita Burnite Largay  Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2013
AUGUSTA, Me. — She was afraid of being alone and prone to anxiety, a diminutive 66-year-old woman with a poor sense of direction, hiking the Appalachian Trail by herself, who wandered into terrain so wild, it is used for military training. She waited nearly a month in the Maine woods for help that never came.
Geraldine A. Largay chronicled her journey in a black-covered notebook that summer of 2013, and she kept writing after she lost her way, even as her food supply dwindled along with her hopes of being found. Her last entry reflected a strikingly graceful acceptance of what was coming.
“When you find my body, please call my husband George and my daughter Kerry,” she wrote. “It will be the greatest kindness for them to know that I am dead and where you found me — no matter how many years from now.”
It would be two years before a logging company surveyor stumbled upon her campsite and remains, solving a mystery that had tormented her family and defied teams of experienced searchers. Ms. Largay, a retired nurse from Tennessee, had survived nearly a month on her own — longer than many old backwoods hands thought possible — before dying of exposure and starvation.
On Thursday, the Maine Warden Service released more than 1,500 pages of its files on her disappearance, shedding light on the fears of her friends and family and the search that pursued countless false leads. The documents include brief excerpts from her journal and the plaintive text messages she tried in vain to send to her husband from a place beyond the reach of cell towers.
“Lost since yesterday,” she texted. “Off trail 3 or 4 miles. Call police for what to do pls.”
In fact, she had set up camp less than two miles off the trail. There, with her black tent and her possessions neatly sorted into Ziploc bags, she penned a note to her husband on the cover of the journal: “George Please Read XOXO.”
Ms. Largay had adopted the trail name Inchworm, making light of her pace, but that pace had taken her nearly 1,000 miles from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., where she and a friend, Jane Lee, had set off on April 23, 2013. Her husband of 42 years, George Largay, drove ahead and met them in prearranged spots with supplies, and sometimes took them to motels for showers and a night indoors.
On June 30, in New Hampshire, Ms. Lee cut short her hike to tend to a family emergency, but Ms. Largay insisted on continuing.
Later, Ms. Lee would tell an investigator “that Geraldine had a poor sense of direction,” the Warden Service’s investigative report said. “Ms. Lee said that Geraldine had taken a wrong turn on the trail, more than once,” and Ms. Largay “became flustered and combative when she made these kinds of mistakes.”
Ms. Largay, a meticulous planner, was gregarious and made friends easily on the trail. But she feared the dark and being alone, said Ms. Lee, who told park wardens “that George did not know the extent of Geraldine’s inability to deal with the rigors and challenges of the trail.”
But after he reported his wife missing, Mr. Largay told an investigator that “Gerry was probably in over her head.”
Her doctor would tell investigators that once she ran out of the medication she took for anxiety, she could suffer panic attacks.
Ms. Largay spent the night of July 21-22 in the Poplar Ridge lean-to in western Maine, less than 200 miles from the end of the trail. Her smile was so infectious that before she set off the next morning, a fellow hiker, Dottie Rust, asked to take her picture. In the photo, she is beaming and wearing her backpack, her socks pulled high, as hikers do to ward off scrapes and blisters.
It was about 6:30 a.m., the last time anyone was known to see her alive. By 11 a.m., she was lost.
“In somm trouble,” Ms. Largay wrote in a text message to her husband. “Got off trail to go to br. Now lost.” She asked him to call the Appalachian Mountain Club “to c if a trail maintainer can help me. Somewhere north of woods road. Xox.”
The message was never received.
Ms. Largay had left the trail in one its most rugged sections, with thick underbrush and fir trees packed so tightly they almost seem to merge.
“You step off the trail 20 or 50 feet and turn around, it’s very difficult to see where the trail was,” said Douglas Dolan, 53, a volunteer who spent time last summer doing trail maintenance in the area. “If you didn’t know which way the trail was, you could easily walk in circles for hours.”
Ms. Largay sought high ground, possibly hoping for a cell signal.She tried over and over to send messages, but none went through.
On July 23, she set up camp, laying her tent atop sticks and pine needles, under a canopy of hemlocks that probably obscured her from airborne rescuers. She tied a shiny silver blanket between two trees, possibly to attract attention, and nearby trees had burn marks.
“It looks like some sort of fire was attempted on those trees by Gerry,” wrote Lt. Kevin Adam, of the Warden Service, in a report.
She was supposed to meet Mr. Largay on July 23, at Route 27 in Wyman Township. The next day, he reported her missing.
Multiple agencies and volunteers joined the hunt, with searchers on foot, on horseback and in helicopters. She was less than a mile from the trail, close enough that searchers probably passed near her without realizing it. Investigators questioned hikers who might have crossed paths with Ms. Largay, and they tested the DNA on a discarded Band-Aid.
And they were inundated with false tips to be pursued.
P Joseph R Dobrzanski Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2011 Berkley Norman Farrar Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2008 Michael Hart Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. Patrick Michael Kelly Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2006 David Leroy Kessler Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. Robert Edward Lee Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2010 Suzanne Meador Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2008 Lynn Baxter Moore Ferguson Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. Frank Xavier Sexton Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. May 2012 Ben Wall Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2008 Aemia Sue Weddle Ford Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2011 Donald Owen Weidenkopf Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. Barbara Suzanne Wendling Our research indicates this classmate is deceased. 2011 Sandra Yvonne Marchetta Hone Class of 1964, Sandra Marchetta Hone, died 2010. from a classmate Ronald Gage LaPila  Ron passed away in January 2015 Rick Rogers 
Richard Louis Rogers, age 68, of Frisco, Texas passed away surrounded by his family on January 2, 2015. He fought with unparalleled resolve, grace and dignity,... but finally succumbed to cancer and went home to God so he can watch over us until we meet again.
Richard is a fifth generation Texas native from San Angelo and a long-time resident of North Texas by way of Clearwater, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama. He was always a champion for the underdog and gave to others selflessly and without the need for recognition or reward. He worked hard behind the scenes to make everyone’s lives he touched better in any way he could. He was an exceptional husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and mentor.
Richard most enjoyed spending time with his wife, Janice, and his family, particularly his daughter, Cindi and her husband, Michael, as they were not only his children, but his best friends and traveling partners. Michael and Cindi moved into his and Janice’s neighborhood several years ago so they could be closer not only in relationship, but also in proximity. Richard and Janice also traveled the world as a couple with friends, making multiple trips with Ron and Norma McCray, Kaaren Alexander and Sheri Parker. They eventually found a special place in their hearts for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where the people are warm and the afternoon margaritas are cold. In the past few years, he returned to SCUBA diving after serving as President of the Atlanta Skin Diving Club many years ago. His last dive trip was with Michael and Cindi in Cabo San Lucas, which, in his opinion, was a perfect day for a dive.
Everyone who knows Richard knows golf was one of his many passions and one that he excelled at, despite never having the opportunity to feel the joy of watching that ever-elusive hole-in-one roll into the cup. His mother-in-law, Louise Terry, used to ask him after every round of golf if he had his hole-in-one and he would tell her “No, not today” and would ask “Why not?”, which always made him smile. Every golfer knows “why not”, but she wanted it to happen for him more than he did, if that is possible.
For the past 23 years, Richard has been a golf member of Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco and served as Chairman of the Board for 6 years. Much of his social life revolved around the club where he made some of his greatest friendships and met his best friend and “second wife”, Larry Crompton of Frisco, Texas. Richard, Larry and the other guys in his regular Saturday golf group, James Hensler, Dr. Jim Douglas, Gary Cooper, Arthur Chavoya, Gerry Mayer, John Kelly, Joel Wolfe, Tommy Lanoux, Mike Mehno, Greg DeCastro, Mike Restovich , Walt Barnes, Steve Dalrymple, Kevin Fitzhugh, Mike Welch and Pat Arthur had some of the best times together. They had opportunities to travel together, even playing The Old Course at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. They were also known to play elaborate practical jokes on each other on a regular basis. There are many others he had the pleasure of playing with and never turned down the opportunity to do so. Stonebriar Country Club was also one of the places Richard quietly performed some of the charity work that was near and dear to him through the Briar Club. It was also where his daughter, Cindi married Michael and where he was the second person in the history of the club to receive the prestigious Heritage Award. There is not one person in the club from the club manager to the men’s locker room attendant that Richard did not know personally and with whom he forged a personal relationship. Richard played an integral part in molding the club into the warm and welcoming place it is today for families and friends to gather.
Richard was always a car buff and had a particular passion for muscle cars. His first love was an Austin Healey that he drove in high school. After a short detour into the world of Harley Davidson and several memorable road trips of a lifetime on his V-Rod and then his Road King Touring bike, he first purchased a Shelby Cobra convertible that lead him to join the Club Cobra Group of Dallas where he made fast and wonderful friends. This group took amazing trips together and was even profiled in The Plano Profile and ON magazines. But, as much as he enjoyed the Cobra, it was on an impromptu trip to Oklahoma to visit Classic Recreations where Jason Engle is rebuilding a limited number of authorized 1967 Shelby Cobra GT 500 CR Fastbacks that Janice surprised him when she purchased one for him on the spot. This was not only one of the biggest surprises of his life, but it was the moment that Richard finally had the keys to his ultimate dream car and made some very special new friends. He shared the joy this car brought to him with Jason Engle and Preston Lindsey of Classic Recreations wholeheartedly.
Even some of Richard’s closest friends may be surprised to know he was an accomplished magician and a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Over the years, he replaced magic with more time on the golf course, but he passed some of his best tricks to his grandson, Richard, who performed them in his school talent show. He had a good sleight of hand and kept his grandson entertained for hours prior to passing on his secrets. He was so proud of the upstanding man he had become and welcomed his fiancé, Sarah Kelsey, an exceptional young woman , into the family with open arms. His only regret is that he was unable to see this beautiful couple marry. We know he will be with us to celebrate in May of this year in Cabo San Lucas.
Richard worked as Senior Vice President of RBC Wealth Management for almost 20 years and in Financial Consulting for over 35 years. In that time, he not only assisted his clients with their financial goals, but more importantly, developed lifelong friendships. He worked very hard and strived to grow the wealth of those who entrusted him with their financial futures. He was appointed to the Chairman’s Counsel or President’s Counsel every year during his time with RBC. He was an active member of the Investment Management Consultant Association and Doctors Referral Service and taught Financial Planning at Samford University. He has served as President of the Dallas Exchange Club and as State Treasurer of Texas Exchange Clubs.
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Danny Zambito  Danny passed away peacefully this evening (4/20/2016) with his loving family at his bedside. Our sons, Michael Zambito and Darren Zambito, our son-in-law Scott Blum, Danny's sister Patty Borino - Roman and her daughters Jessica Davis and Kristen Cooper Roman, my sister Patti Bass Smith and her husband Larry Smith, my brother Richard Bass and his wife Linda Bass were with us grieving, sharing good memories and praying. My other brother George W Bass and his wife Shelby Bass live in Tn but were with us these past two days through lots of calls.. Having such a great and loving family and friends has helped ease the pain. Hugs and kisses to all of you. I couldn't have done this without each one of you. Judy Bass Zambito
Frank Sexton  Francis 'Frank' Sexton had passed away from cancer several years ago. His name is no longer on the list for 1964. Please ad his name back to the list. He was a good friend, good brother to his special needs brother, served in Vietnam in the US Airforce, was a private pilot instructor and loved fast cars and bikes. He lived his later years in CO. Bets Chinnock  4/17/2017 from FB: Our lovely friend Bets Chinnock lost her battle last night. She was a wise, witty and classy lady and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Merrie Elizabeth “Bets” Chinnock
(May 28, 1946, Detroit, Michigan – April, 17, 2017, Gainesville, Florida)
Merrie Elizabeth “Bets” Chinnock had three great passions in life: family, friends, and travelling.
The only child of Donald R. and Merry K. Chinnock, Bets travelled the world with her parents while her “Pop” served in the U.S. Air Force. Travelling to and living in different and exciting places as a child sparked a restless and adventurous spirit in Bets that inspired her to continue seeing the world; first, as a Navy officer’s wife and then later, after raising a family, in her own career.
To Bets, the best part of seeing the world was the people she met along the way. Meeting and making new friends wherever she went, Bets took a genuine interest in people and their stories and found beauty in every person she met. She has left behind a wealth of friends whose lives have been touched by her immeasurable capacity to live, laugh, and love. In turn, her friends made the tapestry of her life ever so much more rich, colorful and truly beautiful. While Bets did not come from an exceptionally large family, she created an enormous family of friends and loved ones with whom she was always happy to share her heart and her home.
What Bets cherished most in life, however, was her immediate family, particularly, her children. With her husband Daniel G. Brophy, whom she met and married in 1964, Bets had three children: Lisa J. Brophy, Daniel D. Brophy, and C. Kimball Bosko. While she and Dan went their separate ways for a time, they remained close until the end of her life and shared in their love and pride for their children. Bets also had tremendous affection for her extended family, Bill Bosko, Andy Brophy and his fiancée, Meagan Meyers. She treasured her grandsons, Saylor and Will Bosko, and granddaughter, Cali Brophy, with all her heart and could not be dissuaded from spoiling them, as it was her prerogative as a proud “Gaga” to do so.
To those who knew her well, no discussion of Bets would be complete without mentioning the simple love and devotion that she held with her special companions in life. Kippi, Chaupanza, Duke, Littlebit, Goofy, Mei-Tu, DaLi, Tanta, Boomer, Dizzi, and, most recently, PoPoe were constant friends, travelling partners, and confidants. The devotion that Bets inspired from these creatures exemplifies her ability to love. It is in their honor that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Bets’ name to the Humane Society or any other worthy animal rescue would be gratefully welcomed. Alternatively, donations to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA) or the E.T. York Haven Hospice, Gainesville, Florida are also appreciated.
A celebration of Bets’ life will be held on what would have been her seventy-first birthday, May 28, 2017, at 11 am, at Lakeland Funeral Home. Friends and family are welcome to join, laugh, and share fond memories of a mother, grandmother, and friend who was lost to us far too soon.
There's still time to send flowers to the Memorial Service at the Lakeland Funeral Home at 11:00 AM on May 28, 2017. Alvin Wade Vanzant  Another much loved Knight has passed.
Alvin Wade Vanzant, Class of 1964. passed away 5/16/2017.
Memorial of Life has not been planed at this point in time, but will be announced later. Ken Lutgen  Ken Lutgen, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 21, 2017. He was in the class of 64 at Robinson.
LUTGEN, Kenneth M. "Ken"70, passed away unexpectedly January 21, 2017 in Tampa. Ken graduated from Robinson High School in 1964, was a U.S. Navy veteran, and had a 40 year career in dental technology. He is survived by his sisters, Anne Sliter, Karen Beatty, and Mary Chance; brothers, Michael and Paul Lutgen; nieces, nephews, and special love, Barbara Carcopa. A loving service will take place 3 pm, Saturday, Jan 28, at MacDonald Funeral Home. Tyrone Olmstead  It is with a broken heart that I post this tonight (January 3, 2019) Ty passed away earlier this evening . After Ty survived his transplant 4 years ago He had a lot of up hill battles to fight and he did just that with everything he had.. And now cancer had spread through his body like wild fire . Only last month his blood work was normal . This cancer hit him less than a month .
We only found out about the cancer New Year’s Day 😞
A memorial at the Veterans cemetery will be planned .
Wayne Edward Brown  Wayne E. Brown, 76 of Homosassa passed away on Tuesday October 11, 2022 peacefully at home. He was born in Ridgeview, West Virginia. He moved here with his family in 1957 from West Virginia. He is preceded in death by his Father Elmer Brown, Mother Nadine Camp, Stepson Scott Pummill and Step granddaughter Rachel Pummill. Survived by his Wife Anita Richmond, Son David Airing, Stepdaughter Kristy Daniel, Step grandchildren Corey and Jasmine Pummill, Michael and Courtney Daniel, Step Great Grandchildren Camdyn Rainey, Everest Airey and Rylee Daniel.
Friends will be received on Friday October 28, 2022 at 12:30 at the Brewer & Sons Funeral Home on 1190 Broad St in Brooksville, FL 34601. He will be laid to rest at the Florida National Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Human Society of Marion County or The ALS Association. Both were near and dear to his heart.
Humane Society of Marion County : Donate : Humane Society of Marion County
The ALS Association
Wayne graduated from Robinson High School in 1964. He began college at USF until interrupted by the Vietnam War. He joined the Navy and became a dental technician until 1969. He then went back to USF and finished his bachelors degree in Geography. While attending college he worked in the US Postal Service as well as a variety of other jobs. After College he became a Border Patrol Federal Agent in Calexico California. He decided that was not for him so he moved back to Tampa and went to work as a Hillsborough County and State of Florida Social Worker. He worked as a social worker with abused children for about 2 years. Then met a Real Estate Appraiser who took Wayne under his wing and began training as a Real Estate Broker and Appraiser where he never looked back.
Wayne was a member of the Hudson Beach Yacht Club and loved sailing. He also loved to travel. Whether it was cruising, flying or driving. He was a big story teller and loved to talk and tell stories about his experiences and travels. One of the many memories is when Wayne and I (Anita) went to Thailand. We went to play with the Tigers and when they opened the gate for us to go into the cage of a 500 lb Tiger, he said, "Ladies First".
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