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At random: "...anyone who knows a submariner, (as well as anyone can know a submariner), knows that even after he retires he never really leaves the boats." Submarine: Steel Boats: Iron Men

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Coyote

Posted 2023-11-16 6:40 PM (#104339)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1005

Location: NE Florida

Subject: Thursday Obits

FISHER .. .. Capt. James Ronald "Ron" Fisher, USN, Ret. (Aug 25, 1935-Oct 31, 2023): Son of William Benton Fisher, Sr. and Acenah Mills Fisher; beloved Brother to a dozen wonderful siblings (survived by Alice, Bobby, Paul, David, and Kenny); Husband to Lenyr Vallejo Fisher; proud Father of Benton (Joan), Wes (Funn), Fred (Carol), and Martin (Lauren); supportive Stepfather to Marsha and Marco and Step-Grandfather and Great-grandfather to their offspring; and joyful Grandfather to Hannah, Jack, Julia, Ellis, Mallory, Ryan, Lily, Katie, and Anna. He is also survived by his first wife Margaret Corletti.
He was born in a modest three-bedroom house on Young Street in Bemis, TN on August 25, 1935. From a young age, Ronald displayed a natural sense of happiness and intelligence and participated actively in academics and athletics at the local schools, including playing on JB Young High School's first football team in 1949. Accomplishments include earning All-District in basketball his senior year (1952-1953), finishing both 2nd and 3rd in the Bemis Brothers Bag Company essay contest (he wrote 2 essays!), representing Bemis at Volunteer Boys State in 1952, and running the local swimming pool and projector at the Bemis theater.
After graduating from JB Young HS in 1953, he attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for one year, preparing to pursue his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). He graduated near the top of his class with honors from the Academy in 1958, and enjoyed a distinguished Navy career, with most of his service in the Submarine force. He served at the outset of the Nuclear Navy; graduated first in each of his Submarine, Nuclear Propulsion, and Engineering Duty Officer schools; served as Executive Officer (XO) on four nuclear submarines; received the Legion of Merit; and retired with the rank of Captain in 1984. During his career he continued to pursue his academic studies, graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (where he served as a research fellow) and obtaining a Master's Degree in Business Management. His contributions to the security of the nation and the field of naval engineering were commendable.
After "retiring" (a word that he asserted did not apply to him), Ronald continued to develop his extensive experience in engineering, management, logistics, education and training, and the judicial system. He launched the Defense Fire Protection Association (DFPA), a scientific research and educational foundation dedicated to improving the safety and survivability of our military forces and vessels. He served as a volunteer in a variety of capacities for communities, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (VA), and youth sports organizations, and he ran for political office at both the state and Federal levels. He spent the last chapter of his life as an advocate for the people, committed to fairness, justice, peace, and the rapid implementation of the U.N. Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). This also included a paramount shift in thinking to seek to permanently end all wars, occupations, threats of force, and violence, and resolve disputes by pacific means.
He was "ahead of the times" as an early enthusiast of fax machines in the 1970s and personal computers in the 1980s. His "portable" video-cassette recorder weighed 30 pounds - and was a Betamax. He possessed multiple 8-track players - including in the car. He regularly quizzed his children, and then grandchildren, on matters of science and math - frequently showing how the answer could be determined with a slide rule. He also perpetuated traditions common to both the Fisher family and the Navy: drinking coffee and iced tea in large quantities, and eating what and when he wanted, for many decades frequenting Edy's rotisserie chicken, the Lost Dog Café, and Peking Gourmet.
He frequently proclaimed that he enjoyed a "charmed life" and was grateful for his upbringing in a small town, for the camaraderie of his Navy experiences, and for his family and friends throughout his life. Consistent with his unflinching desire to make the world a better place, his wish is for all to "join the movement" and work relentlessly with other passionate people and organizations such as Global Citizen (https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/).
Throughout his lifetime, he consistently responded to the challenges and demands he encountered by remaining composed and "stoic" (a practice he espoused), qualities that endeared him to all who met him. These qualities also served him well in the face of more recent health challenges, as his calmness eased the difficulties associated with strokes, Afib, and COPD.
Despite facing significant health challenges over the past decade, including multiple strokes, cancer, extensive blockage of his coronary arteries, significant infections and sepsis, and COVID, Ronald's resilience and will to live were astonishing. He was a testament to the strength of the human spirit. After several days of receiving Hospice care, Ronald passed away peacefully at the age of 88. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know him. He leaves behind a legacy of unwavering optimism, dedication to service, and a profound impact on the lives of many. Ronald Fisher will be remembered not only as a dedicated Naval officer and loving family man, but as a beacon of hope and positivity in a world he worked tirelessly to make better.
The family is planning a private service at a later date. In

SWANEY .. .. Gordon Dale Swaney, 86, of Dunnellon FL, passed away on Nov 10th, 2023. He was born in Chillicothe Ohio on August 30th, 1937. Gordon married Nelta Jean Swaney (née Smith) on June 6, 1964. They spent 59 wonderful years together and their love will forever be eternal.
Gordon was a Navy Veteran Machinist Mate and 1st Class Petty Officer (E-6) on the Nuclear Submarine USS F. D. Roosevelt. He earned an Associate's degree and retired as a Nuclear Engineer Specialist from Florida Power after over two decades of dedication.
Gordon was an avid RVer and lifetime member of the GPAA/mining association. His passions included mining precious gemstones and geodes, prospecting gold, and hunting for morel mushrooms throughout the United States. He also very much enjoyed attending auctions and collecting antiques.
Gordon is preceded in death and now reunited with his mother Ina Swaney (née Lansing), father Roy Swaney, daughter Joanna J. Swaney, sister Janet Maroscher (née Swaney), and his chihuahua Firegirl.
He is survived by his loving wife Nelta Jean Swaney, two sons Gordon D. Swaney II and Edward J. Swaney, grandchildren Mark A. Tannehill II, Sarah Tannehill, Brittany Swaney, Amanda Swaney, Alexa Swaney, and his sister Judy Clevenger (née Swaney).
Gordon was loved beyond words and a piece of our hearts is now missing; until we meet again.
A visitation for Gordon will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Fero Funeral Home & Life Celebration Center, 5955 North Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, FL 34465, followed by a funeral service at 1:30 PM.

KONTIR .. .. James D. Kontir, 83 passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born March 2, 1940 a son of the late Andrew Kontir, Sr and Anna Nemeth Kontir, and was born and raised in Hecla. He was a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Trauger,, he was a 1958 graduate of Hurst High School and signed up for enlistment in the US Navy from 1959-1963, after enlistment he returned to his parents residence in Hecla to begin the college application process and gained acceptance to California University in PA. He earned his bachelor and masters degrees in Speech Pathology and Audiology. In Addition, , he did post graduate work at the Universities of Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and Penn State. Jim earned the certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association, when he began his professional career employed by the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit as a speech, hearing and language therapist.
He was a member of various local social organizations and veterans organizations of the Untied States, the Submarine Veterans Incorporated, the local base chapter of the USS Requin SS-481 and the Naval Crytologic Veterans Association. Regarding Jim's military service, aptitude and psychological testing revealed would be better to serve in the navy in the area of security training, after recruit training he was sent to San Diego where he spent six months attending the first of a three level program. He also achieved the security level of Confidential. since he did well at the first level he then went on to the second level, and attained the security level of Secret. The most difficult level was the third level with training in Washington DC, he was now affiliated with the Naval Security Group, the Office of Naval Intelligence and the National Security Agency. he was known as a security specialist and had been entrusted with the security level as Top Secret. He had the possibility of receiving mission assignments on special submarine missions, over a 2 and a half year period operated out of Pearl Harbor and Kamiseya/Sakata.
He took part in one mid level assignment along with Marine Corps specialists under the codename of Operation Grab,he was most proud of three high level covert missions under the name of Special Operation Holystone, these missions were carried out aboard the submarines, USS Seadragon, SSN584, USS Tunny, SSG 282 and USS Grayback, SSG 574. Surviving are his wife Mary Ann Semensky Kontir,; children, Natalee and Shane Kontir; brothers in law, Gregory Semensky (Jean) and John Lindley many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by brothers, Andrew and Daniel Kontir; sisters, Mary Ann Kontir Witek and Elizabeth Kontir Lindley, sister in lawVirginia Barbus (Mel) and a brother in law, Conrad Semensky. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm Sunday at SLATER-REGA FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, INC 730 W. MAIN STREET MT PLEASANT where the family will meet on Monday to transfer Jim to St Mary Byzantine Catholic Church for his funeral mass with Fr. Paul Alexander Schutt officiating. Interment will follow in the St Mary Byzantine Cemetery. Parastas and Panahida services will be held at 3:30pm in the funeral home. Please visit Jim's online memorial at rega.slaterfuneral.com to sign the condolence guestbook.

KRAWCZYK .. .. Stanley Krawczyk passed away at his home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on November 15, 2023 at the age of 93. Stanley was born on October 14, 1932 Adam and Mary Krawczyk in Charlotte, Michigan. He worked on the family farm and went to a county school, having to drop out of school in ninth grade to help take care of the farm. He met his future wife, Elaine Zimmerman when he was 15. They got married February 1, 1950.
Stanley joined the Navy on October 27, 1947 at the age of 17. He had a long career in the Navy retiring after 22 years. In those 22 years he saw combat in Korea aboard the USS Hyman fighting the North Koreans and the Chinese. The ship was hit, but thankfully did not get a lot of damage. He did lose one of his friends while on the ship in Korea. Many years later he was part of a group of veterans from the Hyman who raised money to put up a memorial monument in New Castle Indiana for the men lost over the years. In 1948 he also saw combat in one of the many wars between Israel and Palestine.
1952 he was instructor at the Machinist Date Class A School in Great Lakes, Illinois teaching steam engineering. There were lots of moves during his career including Great Lakes, Illinois; Newport, Rhode Island; Groton, Connecticut for submarine and nuclear power school. He was assigned to the USS Jefferson which was under construction at that time. The boat did many tours to Holy Loc, Scotland, doing testing when they were out to sea. Stanley was also in Norfolk, Virginia; Long Beach, California; and two years in the Nea Makri, Greece which the family loved. During his career he served on the USS Hyman, which was a destroyer; the USS Forestal, which was an aircraft carrier; and two nuclear powered submarines. The USS Skate and the USS Thomas Jefferson.
On the personal front, after he and Elaine got married they had three children – two daughters and a son. The family enjoyed the traveling, especially the two years spent in Greece where they had all kinds of new experiences – including camping on a trip to northern Greece to see Mount Olympus, swimming in Marathon Bay and taking a cruise to visit many of the Greek islands. Stanley and Elaine took a cruise from Greece back to the United States after he was transferred. There were many trips between wherever Stanley was stationed to Eaton Rapids to see family and spend time in the town that he considered home.
Stanley retired from the Navy in 1970 and the family moved back to Eaton Rapids were Stanley built a home on Kemler Road. He went to work for the Michigan DNR for ten years, and then retired from the DNR. He also worked for BASF for several years in Michigan. After retiring from the DNR he and Elaine moved to Oakland, California were Stanley work for the Military Sealift Demand. After Elaine passed away from cancer in 1988 Stanley remained in California where he then worked for the Federal Aviation Agency working on long distance communication between controllers and airplanes. In 2002 Stanley did an interview for the Veterans History program, that is in the Library of Congress, talking about his career. For anyone that would like to hear it, just go to the Library of Congress and type in his name or go to this link: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.41528/?.
In 1993 Stanley retired for the last time. He built another house on Kemler Road (next to the first one he built) where he lived until his passing. He met Barbara Woodley in 1999 and they got married in 2000. He gained four stepchildren and four grandchildren whom he loved very much. He and Barbara lived happily until she passed away in February 2013.
Stanley had many things that he enjoyed doing. He loved gardening and did lots of canning with his garden vegetables. He enjoyed doing anything outside. He obviously loved building. He remodeled almost every place his family lived in, including a mobile home! He collected coins for most of his life and would spend time looking and doing research on any coins he got from anyone. He also enjoyed winemaking using the grapes he grew on his property. When he was younger he hunted with his brothers. And for many years he and some of his brothers and friends went to Canada every year to fish. His last fishing trip to Canada was in 2017. His grandson Robert and great-grandson Ethan were lucky enough to go on that trip was Stanley.
The family would like to thank Holt Senior Care and Rehab, McLaren Hospice, Landmark Home Care for taking such good care of dad at the end of his life. They also would like to thank the wonderful staff at Eaton Rapids Medical Center for all the years of care that they gave to Stanley.
Stanley was predeceased by his wife Elaine (Zimmerman); his wife Barbara Woodley; daughter Kathleen Hendrickson; son Stanley L. Krawczyk; niece Lorelyn (Zimmerman) Adams; granddaughter Stacy Hildner; grandson Sean Vankranenburg; stepdaughter Karen Thompson; parents Adam and Mary Krawczyk; and eight brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his daughter Diane (Craig) Galloway; stepchildren Linda Brockway, Diane Woodley and Kevin Woodley. Grandchildren Deanna (John) Cornell; Robert (Amanda) Young; Aisha (Eric) Ray; Luke Krawczyk; Derek (Kayla) Krawczyk; and Kyle Krawczyk. Stepgrandchildren Tana (Beau) Vanderwater; Kayla (Toma) Thompson; Cameron Thompson and Ian Thompson. Great-grandchildren Aoife and Conrad Young; Erica and Darius Ray; Hannah and Halie Krawczyk; Derrick and Wren Krawczyk; Lucien Krawczyk; and Ariella Vankranenburg.
Stanley was loved and respected by everyone that met him. He was a hero to many and there will be a huge hole in the hearts of everyone that loved him.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, November 20, 2023 at Skinner Funeral Home, Eaton Rapids Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00PM and one hour prior to the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight program.

WASSENBERB .. .. Paul J. Wassenberg found peace on March 10, 2023, at the age of 89. Beloved husband of the late Mary L. Wassenberg and the late Mary L. Yarnig-Wassenberg.
Loving Dad of Betsy (John) Fuhrmann, Barbara (Keith) Cameron and the late Wendy (the late Michael) Sommers. Cherished grandpa of Michelle (David) Holcombe, Emily (Brian) Sullivan, Ryan (Erin) Fuhrmann, Billy Cameron, Greg (Erica) Cameron and 5 great-grandchildren. Further survived by the late Mary Yarnig-Wassenberg’s daughters, Susan (Scott) Trad, Julie (Larry) O’Brien and Amy Yarnig. Also survived by many dear nieces and nephews.
Paul was a Navy submariner in the Korean War for 4 years. He attended several submarine conventions and stayed in touch with his fellow submariners. He was very proud of his military service to his country. Paul was known for being an all-around good man. He always treated people with respect, kindness and generosity. He was very social and could carry on a good conversation with anyone. Later in life, he was more soft spoken but his message was always impactful. Paul was a family man, surrounded by many women in his life and showed his love in special ways. He was never shy to say “I love you” with a kiss and a hug.
Paul was an avid golfer and then loved watching any sports on TV. His favorite pastime was watching the Brewers, Bucks and Packer games. He kept up with all the players and teams and commented on how they were doing.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Dickson Hollow for their wonderful, compassionate care for Paul the last few years. Their loving care made a difference, especially in his final days. We are grateful.
Services for Paul will be held Friday March 17, 2023, at St. Anthony the Hermit Catholic Parish (N74 W13604 Appleton Ave. Menomonee Falls.) Visitation will begin at 1:30 with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 2:30. Interment to follow at the church cemetery.

LUKE .. .. Nelvin F. Luke, 90, died peacefully on November 9, 2023. He was born in Jefferson, Louisiana and was a resident of Covington for the past 25 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Edvige Luke, his sister, Florence Luke Weber, his brother, Wallace Luke, Jr., his son Jerry Luke (Dayna), and his beloved wife of 65 years, Joyce Bordelon Luke.
He is survived by his children, JoNel Lindeen (Happy), Mark Luke (Cindy), Darlene Ferran (Steve), Eric Luke (Michaela), and his sister, Pearl Luke Mitchell; along with 15 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving his country on a submarine during the Korean conflict. Ordained a Roman Catholic deacon in 1991, he served the people of God selflessly at St. Agnes Parish, Jefferson, Louisiana from 1991-1999 and at St. Benedict Parish, Covington from 1999 until his retirement from ministry in 2013. He was devoted to God, to his family and to the people whom he served as a deacon. He had a passion for hunting and fishing, enjoyed cooking for his family and was a talented woodworker who built furniture for his family and for St. Benedict Church.
Visitation will be held at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 20370 Smith Road, Covington, La. at 10:30AM on Friday November 17, 2023. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12 noon.

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