Teresita Telleria-Herrero

Teresita (Tere) Telleria-Herrero passed away peacefully on Friday, March 22, 2024.  Tere was born on September 27, 1951, in San Antonio de los Banos La Habana, Cuba to Jorge and Haydee Herrero.    Tere didn’t live an extraordinary life, but she did manage many obstacles that would have broken a lesser person.  She fled Cuba to Spain to be freed from communism, emigrated to the United States to New Jersey and made her way with her young family to Florida.  She was funny, sharp, and witty; loved art, music, obsessed with crime dramas, and would talk off your ear, if you let her.  She is survived by her former husband and close friend Jorge, parents Jorge and Haydee, her siblings, Esther, Norma and Jorge, her children Raul, Teresita and Natalie, and her grandchildren, Nathan, Sadie, and Violet.  While she will be desperately missed, we find solace in knowing that she’s now in heaven with her granddaughter Gianni.  Services will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 11AM-1PM at Dobbs Funeral Home at 430 North Kirkman Road, Orlando Florida 32811

Rupert Byfield

Rupert Ricardo Byfield, lovingly referred to as Ronnie, was born on March 12, 1945, in Kingston, Jamaica, and departed this life on March 11, 2024. He was the adored son of the late Issac Byfield and Rachel Baker. His wife, Cecile Byfield, and his two children, Jennifer Williams, married to Willie Williams, and Richard Byfield, married to Wynel Byfield, survive him.

Ronnie’s memory is kept alive through his three grandchildren: Latoya, Lakeisha, and LeSean Williams, and his four great-grandchildren: Brandon, Carter, Areya, and Dawson Yates. His brother, Rudolph Byfield, sister in laws Jennifer and Jacqueline Carroll, brother in laws Paul and Michael Carroll and niece Tamara Plummer also survive him.

Before retiring, Rupert worked as an accountant at the Long Island Rail Road in New York City. Ronnie was an enthusiastic cricketer and was actively involved in the Kingston Cricket Club in Jamaica and the Staten Island Cricket Club in the United States after he migrated. Ronnie was known for his service to others, especially his efforts to assist the homeless in New York City through the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.

His devotion to God was apparent in his service to his fellow church members at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New York and the Church of the Ascension in Orlando after relocating to Florida.

In his spare time, Ronnie enjoyed playing dominoes with friends, traveling around the world, and baking—a hobby he nurtured from a young age. His renowned Easter bun, which he shared with family and friends around the world, will be greatly missed during Easter celebrations.

Eugene Hafich

Eugene Joseph Hafich passed away very peacefully at his home on March 2, 2024 after loosing his brave 4year battle with cancer.

He received outstanding care from Lake Nona VA hospital physicians and Advent Hospice Home Care.

Gene was born in Dunmore,Pa., graduated Dunmore High School in 1964.

He was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the Ft. Riley,Ks. 9th Army Infantry Artillery division  from 1966-1968.

Gene has lived in Orlando since 1976 working in screen printing and inks making lifelong friends of coworkers and clients.

He enjoyed his passion of gardening while volunteering as a Master Gardener with the UF extension agency and Head Start programs in Orange County schools.

Along with numerous friends Gene will be deeply missed by his life partner, Victoria Black, his daughter Amanda Bond(Kent), 2 grandsons Keegan and Connor Bond and 3 sisters Kathryn Ogden ,Martha Hafich,Ann Carenzo and 4 nephews. Thomas Ogden, Michael Carenzo,Peter Carenzo and Christopher Carenzo.

  

Florencia Rincon

 

Florencia Noemi Rincon (Noni) moved from life on earth to eternal life in heaven on March 13, 2024 at age 87.

Noni was born is Santa Ana Misiones, Argentina. She moved to Boston, Mass USA in 1965 where she meet her husband Jose Manuel Rincon. In 1976 she moved to Bogota Colombia with her husband and daughter. In 1990 she moved to Orlando, FL where she lived until the end with her husband and son.

Noni  enjoyed homemaking, cooking, sewing, her plants, she loved her Merriday and adored her grandkids. She was a big futbol fan, there was no team better than Argentina. No better player than Maradona and later Messi. She was the happiest woman when Argentina again,  won the World Cup in 2023. 

Noni was loving, fun, thoughtful, welcoming and supportive. 

 Noni is survived by her husband of 53 years, Jose Manuel (Manolo) Rincon; daughter Diana Wagner-Rincon: son Manuel Jose Rincon; grandchildren Megan K. Wagner (Languell); Veronica M. Rincon; Eli M. Wagner; Bailey M. Wagner; Andres Rincon and Leonardo Rincon.

A celebration of life will be held on Tueaday March 19, 2024 at the family home after the burial. Viewing is at Dobbs Funeral Home 430 N Kirkman Rd Orlando on March 18, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Mass at St James Cathedral Catholic Church downdown Orlando at 2:00 pm. Burial at Greenwood Cementary following mass.

The family graciously requests that in lieu of flowers since they are not allow do to lent, donations to offset last minute expenses can be place in envelops provided at the funeral home or  

https://gofund.me/c06b5d50

Natividad Westcomb

 Westcomb, Natividad 01/01/1952 - 02/29/2024 Orlando, FL Natividad (Vida) Westcomb, age 72, of Kissimmee, Florida passed away Thursday, February 29th, 2024 at the Halifax Health Hospice facility of Ormond Beach, FL. She was born in Manila, Philippines the daughter of the late Capitulina Sano Ginete and Pedro Andoy Ginete. 

Natividad met her husband in San Diego, CA, moved to Muskegon Michigan and resided in Michigan for over 30 years before settling in Florida. She retired from computer room operations at Alcoa Howmet Corporation. She was an avid volunteer at VA Medical Center of Orlando and Advent Health Kissimmee. She was a member of First Baptist Orlando Church, the First Orlando choir, Heartsong, Todo Divas, and an honorary member of PNACF. She loved to travel with her sister and family, sing and dance, and was a light to all who knew her. 

Natividad is preceded in death by her parents, brother Rolando Ginete, husband Stephen Westcomb, and son Jared Ryan Westcomb (1986) and leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Heidi Lanae Warnez (Daniel) of Orlando; son Matthew Stephen Westcomb (Christy) of Arvada, CO; twin sister Susie Uyeji (George) of San Diego, CA; two brothers, Junior Ginete of San Diego, CA and Reynaldo Ginete (Delia) of Virginia Beach, VA; one loving sister-in-law Amelia Ginete of Daly City, CA; grandchildren - Kennedy, Sarah and Finley Warnez of Orlando, Grayson, Ava and Olivia Westcomb of Arvada. 

The family will have a viewing at 12:30 PM with a funeral service to follow at 1:30 PM on Friday, March 22nd, at First Baptist Church of Orlando with Dr. David Uth, Pastor officiating. A small reception will be provided afterward. 

 

 

Rinaldo Fabrizio

 

Rinaldo “Ron” Fabrizio, a devout Catholic and loving family man with a gift for making others laugh, departed this life on Monday, March 4, at age 90.

Ron was born in Manhattan, New York, and grew up a huge fan of the New York Yankees and playing stick ball in the streets with his three brothers and other Italian boys. Asked one time who was the best at stick ball among the brothers, Ron said, “If I have to be honest, it was me.”

Ron was drafted by the Army and served for a time in Germany as a medical tech. He was discharged in 1957 and moved to Florida, reuniting with his brothers and living with them for a time. The brothers had fine singing voices, and a couple of them played instruments, so they enjoyed making music together.

Around the time of his Army discharge, Ron would occasionally show up to his older sister Sally’s hair appointment. The young hairdresser was named Carol, and she would become Ron’s wife of 61 years. They would raise six children and celebrate the arrival of eight grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Ron and Carol settled in Pinellas Park and became mainstays at the Davis Fields ballfields, where all four of their boys were standout athletes. Ron was especially adept at teaching the kids baseball, and he would often hit his sons and their cousins fly balls in the Skyview Elementary School field behind their house.

The family were longtime parishioners at Sacred Heart Church in Pinellas Park and, later, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Clearwater. After Carol’s passing in 2020, Ron remained very devout in his faith. He moved in with his son, Paul, and daughter-in-law, Lourdes (Lulu), and attended Incarnation Catholic Church in Orlando.

Ron was a jokester and a prankster – so much so that people he worked with long ago at the General Electric plant in Largo still talk about his antics today. He was famous for his unexpected animal impressions and his relentless teasing of anyone who was a little tight with the dollar bill. He was also known for his love of Notre Dame football and the great Italian quarterbacks in the NFL, although he tired of the politics in big-time sports and finally turned to the Golf Channel.

He always counted his blessings, but Ron experienced profound sadness in his later years, losing Carol and three of their six children. Ron’s three brothers and a sister also went before him, and they had all been especially close. He remained close with his remaining children, his grandchildren, and a niece, Amber Tidwell who visited frequently.

Two days before he died, great-granddaughter Gianna came to visit and he erupted with joy. Together with daughter Debra, Grandchild Kara, and sister Madeline, they laughed and sang and told stories until he fell asleep.

Ron is survived by sons Paul (Lourdes-Lulu) and Steven (Gina); daughter Debra; grandchildren Gregory Jr., Timothy, Johnathon, Megan, Kara, Katelynn, Jon Paul, Nina, and 4 great grandchildren; His sisters Madeline (Ed) Leberator and Faye Scaglione are also still living.

He is in preceded in death by his wife, Carol, sons Gregory, Chris, and daughter Therese (Mike) Rickards, as well as brothers Vincent, Louis, Anthony (known as Tex) and sister Sally.

A requiem Mass service will take place on March 14, 2024, at 7 a.m. at Incarnation Catholic Church, 1515 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804. Following the funeral mass, a small service will take place at 12 noon at the Chapel at Calvary Cemetery , 5233 118^th Ave. N., Clearwater, FL 33760. For those attending the mass, please allow an extra 40 minutes due to very heavy traffic on I-4. Because the church was destroyed by a fire in 2023, the social hall has been converted to worship space. It’s the two-story building on the right side of the church. Please enter through the doors located at the center of the building from the sidewalk on Edgewater Drive.

In lieu of flowers, a donation for the re-building of the church would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the mass.  

Jerry Arthur Lake

 

Jerry Arthur Lake, 90, of Windermere, FL, died March 6, 2024

Jerry was born in Jacksonville, FL in 1933 to William Perry Lake, Jr. and Violet Larner Lake. He attended Landon HS and Jacksonville University before graduating from the University of Florida in 1955 with a bachelor degree and later a master’s in mechanical engineering. 

His first job was at the Bendix Corporation in Baltimore MD, where he worked on a top-secret project with the U.S. Navy on the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571).

He met Patricia Ann Davis in Jacksonville on a blind date and they married a year later in 1956.

In 1958, he accepted a new job and moved to Orlando to work at what is now Lockheed Martin. He worked his entire career on the guidance system of the US Army’s Pershing ballistic missile. His career was cut short in 1985, when he was hit head-on in a car accident.

In 1959, Jerry and Pat moved to the Town of Windermere on Lake Down. He helped start the original Windermere Little League in 1971. His lifetime hobbies included boating, salt-water fishing, real estate investing, genealogy, troubleshooting any problem, and his favorite - working on engines of any kind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings: William Perry Lake III, Arlene Garrett, Herbert Lake, Thomas Lake, and Robert Lake. He is survived by his loving wife: Patricia Davis Lake, sons: Don (Debi) and Jay: grandchildren Danielle (Brett) Evans, Bethany Stiles, Julie, Davis, and Violet and great grandson Bode Evans.

Services will be held Wednesday, March 13 at Dobbs Funeral Home 30 N Kirkman Rd, Orlando, FL 32811 - Visitation 10:00 am / Service 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Winter Garden Cemetery.

Neal Blancato

Neal Blancato, 73, of Englishtown, NJ passed away Friday, February 23rd, at Saint Joseph Hospital, Wayne, NJ. 

Neal was born in Manhattan, NY on March 21, 1950,.

He served in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged.

A graveside service with military honors was held for Neal on Friday March 1, 2024 at Woodlawn Memorail Park in Orlando, FL. 

Michael J Spencer

Michael J Spencer, an exemplary husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, mentor and Marine, passed on February 20, 2024, in the arms of his beloved wife of 40 years Peggy Ann.

Michael was born on December 18, 1946, in Fort Sheridan Illinois to William Lafayette Spencer and Mary Katherine O'Donnell.  Due to parental abandonment Michael and his older brother Bill, (who passed on October 14 2022) were placed in Maryville Academy Orphanage.  Under the tutelage of Rev. John Smyth the Spencer boys excelled.  They championed each other in basketball, football, (capturing the third CMC crown in 1963). They found their love of music and became skilled musicians (Michael played string bass and Bill trumpet). They were achievers.  Michael found his love for the written word while serving on the school newsletter "The Voice." and continued to keep in touch with his fellow Maryville Alumni over the years.

 Upon graduation Michael joined the Marine Corp.  It was in boot camp training he forged a lifelong bond with fellow Marine David L Stover.  Michael and David were shipped out to Vietnam and were assigned as Scout Snipers to the 1st Battalion 9 Marines. Michael participated in over 12 back-to-back Operations in Vietnam until he was wounded. When David was asked about his combat experiences with Michael he replied "Vietnam was hell on earth. It was a daily diet of terror, destruction and death. We were blanketed in blood and bathed in agent orange.  Michael somehow managed in this inferno of fear to find a way to lift our spirits up with his unique humor.  He was my hero." The artillery fire may have destroyed his left leg, but not his spirit or the love for the written word.  Michael attended Medill School of Journalism Northwestern University and honed his writing skills as a Research Assistant for columnists Cloherty & Owens of the Washington Post. Michael returned to Chicago and became the Executive Editor of Chicago Faces Magazine.  It was there in the windy city that a gale of love blew into his office stronger than a Nor'easter in February and hotter that Asphalt in August.  Michael's wife Peggy always said, "I took one look at him and that was it! he never had a chance." Michael and Peggy were married in 1984. 

Michael, Peggy and Billy, Peggy's young son from a prior marriage moved to Whitefish Bay Wisconsin.  Michael took the position as Public Relations Specialist for the First Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee but more importantly he became a father to Billy. Little did he know what he was taking on, but he did an amazing job. Billy named his first son Spencer.  In 1986 he was hired by The Mark Travel Corporation; it was a move that changed his life.  Michael flourished within the unique corporate environment created by Bill La Macchia. 

Bill and his wife Sharon knew if they put people first, the profits would follow.  Michael was promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager of South West Airlines Vacations Operated by The Mark Travel Corporation, located in Orlando, FL. Where he and his family moved to Bay Hill in Orlando Florida in 1990. The following years were golden.  Michael loved his job. He appreciated his extensive staff.  He knew their names and truly cared about them and their families. Company picnics were a gathering everyone treasured.  His office door was always open, if you needed him, he was there for you.  The Spencer home was dubbed " The Bay Hill Bed and Breakfast" because his front door was always revolving with family and friends who visited. Michael shared himself shuttling visitors to attractions, theme parks, golf tournaments and favorite restaurants. He treasured his grandchildren, creating special moments for each visit whether it was taking them up in a helicopter or co- piloting a small airplane. 

In January of 2001, he bought Peggy her vacation dream home in Bethune Beach, New Smyrna Florida. They named it quite simply "The Beach House." That too was shared with family and friends to create lifetime memories for generations. Michael spoke to his brother Bill every day until he passed. Bill's extraordinary wife Paulette understood their connection too and commented to Peggy "let's try and find some peace in knowing that their conversations have now continued."    

Michael is survived by his wife: Peggy Ann, and "son" Bill R. Diehl, (Kathleen).

Grandchildren: Kendall Marie, Spencer Christopher, Tristan Patrick Lee, Kieran Joseph.

Half-Sibling: Kevin Keane

Sister-in- Law: Paulette Spencer

Sister-in- Law: Coral Jean (Hoag)

Cousin: Peggy (O'Donnell) Barnett (Robert)

Nieces and Nephews: Vanessa, Jenny, William (Vickie) Michele, Kelly, Lauren, Nicholas, Kelly Lynn (Paul) Amy Marie (Scott) Carrie Ann (Patrick) 

Daughter and Son of his soul: Chrissy Marie Malukiewicz, Christopher N. Luecke

Preceded in death by his brother: William J Spencer (Paulette)

There will be a private family service and internment at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery and a Salute to Michael’s life to be announced at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may in memory of Michael J. Spencer To

w.w.w.thefund.org/donate

Semper Fi & America's Fund

825 College Blvd Suite 102                                                                   

PMB 609 

Oceanside, CA 92057                                                                  

The Rev. John P. Smyth Standing Tall Charitable Foundation

standingtallfoundation.org