Dahlia C. Barreda
Dahlia C. Barreda, 71, of Tampa and formerly Bradenton Beach, died Jan 9. Mrs. Barreda was a Florida native. She and her family moved to Bradenton Beach in the early 1970s, and she was elected to the city commission for one term in 1986. “She was a lovely lady, a dear friend and a pleasure to work with,” said Doris Silverthorn, former Bradenton Beach city clerk. “Dahlia did a great job as commissioner. She did her homework, and every item up for vote was studied until she was confident she was making the best decision for her city. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and was someone who listened to everyone. She surely will be missed by her family and her friends.” “She was a great person,” remembered Alice Baird, Anna Maria city clerk and also a former city clerk in Bradenton Beach. “I enjoyed being around her.” Baird said she remembered a party for city employees where Mrs. Barreda brought in “a huge bowl of paella, with chicken and all sorts of stuff. I have no idea how long it took her to make it, but we loved it.” “She brought in a lot of sunshine to clean up Bradenton Beach,” said former resident Joe Kane, who was active in a drive to oust the sitting city commissioners in the late 1980s. “She was straightforward, and looked at you like she was your mother.” “It was very satisfying to her to raise her family and live for many years on Anna Maria Island,” said son Mark. Mrs. Barreda attended San Carlos, St. Josephs and OLPH schools and was a nursing student at St. Elizabeth hospital in Elizabeth, N.J. Her contributions continued in service and love to her communities in Tampa and Anna Maria Island. She was an early supporter of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. She was a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church,Tampa. Memorial services were Jan. 13 and a Funeral Mass Jan. 14 in Tampa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rafael J., MD, and her father, A. Manolo Alvarez. She is survived by sons Ralph J., Peter T. and wife Marisela, and Mark A.; daughter Julie Barreda Bruyn and husband John; brother Peter; sisters Dionisia, Norma and Shirley: grandchildren Emily C., Maria N, Benjamin A. and A. Zoe; and mother Mercedes B. Guerra.
Scott B. King
Scott B. King, 32, of Holmes Beach, died Jan 10. Formerly of Durant, Miss., Mr. King moved to Holmes Beach in 1990. No services were planned. Brown and Sons Funeral Home, 43rd Street Chapel, was in charge of arrangements. He is survived by son Alex of Anna Maria; sisters Stacy Gandy and Cynthia Calcote, both of Brooksville; parents Calvin and Susan of Anna Maria; and fiance Sarah Wildey.
Samuel ‘Poppop’ Riddell
Samuel “Poppop” Riddell, 97, of Holmes Beach, died Jan 8. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., Mr. Riddell moved to Florida from Havertown, Pa., in 1967. He was a structural engineer with Bellmont Iron Works and later worked for Welman-Lord in Lakeland before moving to Holmes Beach 36 years ago. He was a graduate of Upper Darby High School and Drexel University. Memorial services will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Anna Maria Island Community Center, P.O. Box 253, Anna Maria FL 34216. Griffith-Cline Funeral home was in charge of arrangements. He is survived by daughters Lois DeBona and husband James, Judith O’Donnell and husband Bill, and Susan Curtin and husband Gerry; grandsons Cole Bowers, Mark Bowers, Kenny Bowers, Matthew Bowers, Kevin Curtin, Chris Curtin, Jason Riggs and Jeffrey Riggs; eight grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Gladys Fern Smith
Gladys Fern Smith, 91, of Osceola, Ind., and Anna Maria Island, died Jan 6. Born in Wakarusa, Ind., Mrs. Smith was a homemaker. She was a 1936 graduate of Mishawaka High School, Ind. She was a volunteer with the American Red Cross in the Chicago area. She was a member of the Faith Fellowship Church in Irons, Mich., and Roser Memorial Community Church, Anna Maria. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Fellowship Church, 8889 W. Six Mile Road, Irons MI 49644. She is survived by husband Russell W. of Osceola; sister Dorothy E. Gillaspy of Elkhart, Ind.; niece Barbara Robinia of Atlanta, Ga.; and nephew Robert Raymond of Osceola.
Jean Vesely
Jean Victoria Vesely, 78, of Holmes Beach, died Jan 7. Visitation was Jan. 10, and services Jan. 11 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Holmes Beach. Griffith-Cline Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. She is survived by husband, Bob; daughters Gail Arnost, Lori, Jill Kingure and Beth Terlizzi; son Mark; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.