“FAIR”LY IMPORTANT MATTERS continued. …………………………………………..


REMEMBERING THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY………………………………………………. George Brown Grant


George Brown Grant, 84, of Floral


City, passed away Tuesday, October 18, 2011 under the care of his family and Hospice of Citrus County. Born September 2, 1927 in Salem, Massa- chusetts, he was the son of Alexander L. and Louise (Brown) Grant. After graduating from Swampscott High School in 1945, George served in the United States Navy during WWII. He moved to Miami, Florida in 1953, where he met and mar- ried Imogene "Jean" Copeland in 1955. He retired in 1972 from the Southeast Banking Corporation and moved to Flo- ral City with his wife and two sons. George was active in community affairs, serving on the board of directors of the Citrus County Fair Association, and was a long time mem- ber of the Floral City Lions Club and the Floral City Ma- sonic Lodge #133 F&AM, where he served as Master in 1977. George was preceded in death by his wife Jean in 2008.


Thayer Runnels Fair


God needed help with his flower gar- den, so on February 1, 2012, he called Thayer R. Fair, 70, to heaven to help. Although she was born a Northerner


in Boston Massachusetts, in 1970, Harold and Thayer moved to Floral


City where they owned and operated The Fairwayy Restau- rant in two different locations around Floral City. Illness forced the sale of the restaurant and Thayer later volun- teered for the Citrus County Fair where she became indis- pensable as the fair secretary working there for over 25 years where during the annual fair you could often hear the occasional page of "Thayer Fair to the Fair Office." She was a happy, joyful person who enjoyed many of the


simple things in life such planting flowers and a vegetable garden; sunrises and sunsets at the beach; fishing; playing cards with friends and family; and cooking delicious food. She was always willing to give a helping hand to friends and organizations such as the Lion's Club, the VFW Post 7122 in Floral City or the American Legion. Thayer was loved and respected by all that knew her.


Charles ”Buddy” Joseph Pesano


Charles “Buddy” Joseph Pesano was born February 6, 1929 and died peace- fully at home surrounded by family on Sunday, February 5th, 2012. Lucky is the family whose loving father, hus-


28


band, grandfather and friend share his home, heart and life. “Bubby” was the father of Board member Chuck Pesano. Buddy started in show business in 1949 as a drummer in


the very popular duo “Buddy and Rita.” Buddy worked with such international stars as Dorothy Lamour, Jerry Vale, Rudy Vallee, Al Hibbler, the Arena Twins, Carme and Paul, and the Ink Spots. In the mid 1960s, he was the leader, drummer and vocalist for “JoJo and the Buddy Guards,” a leading show band for 45 years in the Tampa Bay Area. They performed at various local establishments such as Stage Stop restaurant, Fried’s Cypress Room, King’s Inn, Admiral Benbow’s, and Spoto’s Stockyard Inn. He retired in 1996 after teaching 33 years in the


Hillsborough County School System. Buddy was the kind of man always ready to help a friend


in any way he could. He leaves behind a multitude of friends and will be missed by those fortunate enough to have known, and loved him.


Cheryl Lynn Gross Cheryl Lynn Gross, 50 of Naples,


cember 6, 1961 and is a 4th genera- tion native of Southwest Florida. Af- ter Cheryl graduated from Cypress Lake High School she married the love of her life, Joe, and soon started a family. Cheryl attended Living Word Family Church. She enjoyed spending time with all of her family and friends. She loved the outdoors; fishing, bonfires, camping, shoot- ing, and most of all sunsets. Cheryl was an active member of the Collier County Fair Board for the past 10 years and loved every minute of it. The fair board was a part of her extended family. Cheryl was a selfless woman who always put everyone’s


passed away on February 7, 2012 peacefully at home following a 17 month, hard fought battle with mela- noma. Cheryl was born in Naples on De-


needs before her own. Benevolence, compassion, and love beamed out of her heart and soul. Cheryl taught many peo- ple what true strength really is. She never gave up hope and fought until the very end.


Resolutions Committee


Please help us honor and recognize our friends in the Fair indus- try that pass away during the year by sending their names and Fair affiliation to the Federation for inclusion in the Resolutions passed at each year’s Convention.


Send information to Toby Turner at turner9443@bellsouth.net


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