Courtney was the much loved daughter of Doug and Carol Minnich and the sister of Derek Minnich. The Minnichs have long ties to the Key West music community and were close friends with Richard Crooks as well as many other Key West musicians. Sadly both Courtney and Carol have passed away but those in their family cherish the opportunity to honor and remember them both with this very worthwhile charity.
Honoring Frank Argoudelis
Loving husband, Father and Grand Father. His Motto;
"Even if you're just a ditch digger, do the best job you can"
Honoring Tim Wegman
Timmy was known first as the Balloon Man,as he always showed up in his top hat with balloons for the kids and made everyone happy then went to the New England Conservatory for piano and came back to become the piano guy, tuning, playing and owning the music store on Caroline St until his passing after Hurricane Irma in Key West in 2018. He is sorely missed! RIP Piano Man!!
Timothy Gene Wegman passed to the other side on December 21, the Solstice (the day when the sun is as far South as it can go.)
Tim first came to Key West in 1972 from Indiana to visit me and never left. His first job was to run a fruit stand I had built for my oldest daughter, Karla, who was 5 years old. We stayed above Howie's Bar on lower Duval St. About that time, when I bought my first boat, Tim bought a lobster boat and gave it a try for a couple years. After which he took over the first health food store in Key West called the 'Herb Garden.' Those were Happy Days, he had a grand piano in the window which some very talented people would come in and play. He also had a free box outside for used items. I would come back to town after sailing around the Caribbean and would help Tim with making signs and t-shirts. Another one of his great ideas was a sandwich shop on the side of a store called the 'Food Show,' it was called 'The Fu Burger,' and was a big hit. The big grocery stores now had health food sections, so the days of independent stores were numbered.
Tim's real love for music sent him to Boston to the Conservatory to learn how to fix pianos. A year later, he came back to Key West and started a piano-tuning business and music store called A490 Piano Service on Caroline Street. He was also known as the Key West Balloon Man, showing up at birthday parties and Mallory Square with his balloons, top hat and red suspenders, but like anything else, all good things come to an end.
Plagued by health problems during his last few years, Tim gave a lot to Key West including a 9-foot Concert Steinway grand piano which will go to a cultural center on Fleming Street to be used to teach kids, give concerts and help with scholarships.
Tim is survived by four brothers and three sisters. His last birthday party and wake will be held at the Green Parrot Bar on January 16, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. He would have been 67. By David Wegman.
Honoring Margaret Powell
Margaret McElroy Powell was born January 2, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away August 28, 2016, in Hudson, NY, after a yearlong courageous struggle with colon cancer. She attended Marian Catholic High School and Illinois State University. She met her husband Greg on a student ship on her way to spending her junior year in Grenoble, France. After losing touch with each other, they met once again during a chance encounter in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Christmas Eve, 1967. They spent the following 50 years together, never losing their love for language, travel, and adventure. She received a Master’s degree in Language and Linguistics from Georgetown University and a Ph.D. in French Literature from Duke University. Margaret approached life with style, grace and creativity. Friends and family relied on her for her knowledge, insight and delicious cooking. When visiting Key West, she enjoyed the weather, the culture, the cuisine and the many friends of her sister and brother-in-law Kathy and Steve Russ.
Honoring Tim Glancey
Tim Glancey was born September 21, 1958 in Philadelphia, PA. His family eventually moved to Boise, Idaho, where he graduated from High school in 1974.
Tim was always fascinated with magic and began learning from books. His skills improved rapidly and he moved to Orlando where he got a job doing close-up magic in a fine dining restaurant. His magic expanded to doing corporate, trade, and school shows, plus motivational speaking. In 1989 he became the original magician for the newly formed NBA Orlando Magic. Tim was founder of Sports Magic Team. His crew would entertain the fans before and during the games, and he would also create magical half-time shows making lions and tigers appear center court. He built his company to 200 performers who worked with the NBA, Major League Baseball, NFL, NHRA, George Strait, and many more. He positioned his interactive squads around the country and traveled with them around the world.
While doing magic in the sky boxes at an NBA All Star Game, Jimmy Buffett hired Tim to entertain his Parrot Head fans in the parking lot and before the show. For over a decade Tim toured with Jimmy. He was the creative mind behind Jimmy’s tour entertainment.
On Tim’s first trip to Key West, he fell in love with the Island and soon called it Home. After being on the road 300 days a year, he enjoyed the slower pace. He met his life partner, Donna Carpenter, together they opened the long running Theatre de Seance. Tim developed the Haunting of Fort Taylor. Tim was an amazing storyteller and developed walking tours around Jimmy Buffett and the haunted history of the Island, Key West Ghost and Mysteries Tour.
Tim created smiles wherever he went, frequently doing magic at the Magic Bar and charity events. He lived life to the fullest and made everyone he met feel special.
He was a MasterMagician and belonged to the IBM and Order of Merlin.
He Left his mark with his vast contributions, and our lives were made richer by knowing him.
He died peacefully on August 23, 2017.
Honoring Max
Max was my best friend and best dog ever!!! He will be missed. He made it to 14 great years.
Honoring Josephine Juliano
A strong and caring woman, Josephine dedicated her life to her family. She was known for her passion of singing and cooking. She was full of life and love and was always there to help those in need.
Honoring Tom Petty
Honoring Glen Campbell
Honoring Chuck Berry
Honoring Foxy
Honoring Seymour B. Robinson
Honoring Beth Schucker
Beth Schucker was a champion of jazz. Her Maryland license plate read "Save Jazz" . The inscription was famous around Oxford, Maryland where she and her husband Ray retired after careers at NIH in Washington DC where they raised three daughters. Beth was an annual visitor to Key West, reviewing restaurants for various publications and researching the history of the local shrimp industry.
Widowhood launched her into the art of bar stool dinner conversations and immediate friendships with interesting people.
An excellent cook and consummate hostess, she threw great cocktail parties at Truman Annex.
In recent years she and her beloved companion Lee Phillips could be found daily at Fort Zac reading under the pines and watching the beautiful sunsets.
Her goal last January was to recover enough strength to get back to Key West but sadly it was not to be, She lived a vibrant 79 years. We miss her.
Honoring John Francis O'Leary
Honoring Ruth Leonore Robinson
Ruth Leonore Robinson, August 12, 1911-July 14, 2015, peacefully at her Home in Pompano Beach, Florida. Formerly of New York City. Much loved Mother of Margot Astrachan, Grandmother of Gregory Astrachan (Jacqueline) and Matthew Astrachan. Beloved Great-Grandmother of Sophie, Chloe, Chelsea, Isabel and Alexandra Astrachan. Fashion writer (Tobe Service Editor), lifelong golfer (achiever of two documented holes in one), and past Chair of The Women's Campaign Board of the American Jewish Committee. Her style, elegance and humor will be greatly missed.
Honoring Angel Rissoff
Honoring Sharon Margaret Cizdziel
Sharon Margaret Cizdziel (Kelter) was born in Canada. She came to U.S. as a 12 yr old girl. As a teenager she was a gold medal winner for swimming. Sharon was a single Mom of Kenneth and Kim Marie, life partner of Robert and step mom of Georgianna and Jennifer. Sharon devoted her entire life to her kids and grandchildren Joshua and Tyler. Her son Kenneth was born deaf and special needs, Sharon spent every day with him his whole life. They passed away 9 days apart. Proving their special connection.
My Mom was the most giving, caring selfless, beautiful woman ever. If you were her friend she would be there for you in an instant. If you were her child or Grandchild she would move mountains for you. I am who I am today because I had the most amazing mother on the planet. Sharon loved to look pretty and if it was shiny she had to have it. I walk this earth without my Mom, my best friend, and with a hole that only she can fill. Yet I know she’s somehow she is still with me every step...WHEN ONE OF US IS GONE.. AND ONE OF US IS LEFT TO CARRY ON, OUR MEMORIES ALONE WILL GET US THRU. I LOVE YOU MOMMY.
Honoring Jeffrey Jensen
Louis Jeffrey Jensen, age Sixty (1956-2016), of Easton, Connecticut, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, December 27th, at Yale New Haven Cancer Center in Connecticut. Jeff was born to Louis and Lucille Jensen on July fifteenth, 1956. He attended J.P. Stevens High School and graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
In 1991 Jeff married Marylou Petersen. They began their life together in Metuchen, New Jersey, where both their daughters were born. The family later moved to Cranbury, New Jersey, and then Easton, Connecticut, where they have lived for the last eighteen years. Jeff was a successful advertising and marketing executive, working with several companies such as : News America Marketing, Adspace, ZadSpace, and most recently, Linkable Networks. Jeff was an adventurous man; he received his pilot’s license in 1986, enjoying many flights in cessna aircraft. He was a lover of automobiles, and could be seen driving his 1966 Cobra or his Yamaha Star Motorcycle at every chance he could. A lifelong aficionado of music, Jeff both attended and reported on many international concerts throughout his life. Jeff and his wife Marylou loved attending Jazz Festivals; Montreaux, Montreal, North Sea, Bermuda, New Orleans, Newport-- Just to name a few. Jeff has been a long time supporter of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and enjoyed bringing his loved ones and friends to enjoy the band at every opportunity. Jeff was an Eagle Scout, and an athlete, running in ½ marathons and duathlons for many years. He was passionate about the outdoors and cycling with his wife and daughters. Jeff enjoyed attending the Belmont Stakes for the past thirty-eight years, where he waited for, and was so pleased by, the last two triple crown winners. Jeff took pride in his home and family, and loved to surround himself with friends, enjoying home-cooked meals, and a fine glass of Bourbon. Jeff was a brilliant and well-read man of conviction. No grass grew under his feet. He was a true and excellent friend to all who knew him, and an honorable and loving husband and father till the end.
He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Marylou, daughters Marlee Rayden Jensen and Callie Lucille Jensen, brother Gregg Lee Jensen, and many wonderful extended family and friends. Jeff was a passionate believer in civil rights and supported charitable endeavors all of his life.
Honoring Kenneth Cizdziel
Kenneth Cizdziel (1960-2017) was born deaf and special needs. He attended St Mary's school for the deaf in Buffalo, NY. He was the apple of his Mom, Sharon's eye and she vowed to devote her life to care for him and give him as normal a life as she could with the help of his grandparents Bud and Doris Kelter. Perhaps that was why he was always smiling. Kenny had one sister Kim Marie , and two nephews Josh and Tyler. He never missed one of their football or baseball games. Rain or shine he was there cheering them on.
Kenny loved sports especially the Buffalo Sabres. For years he and his Mom had front row season tickets for the Sabres. Kenny met several of the players and was welcomed in the dressing room. He was given jerseys, pucks, and many autographed sticks over the years. He actually passed away putting Sabres jersey on.
Sadly, Kenneth passed away just 9 days after his Mom, I’m sure of a broken heart because they had spent every day of his life together. This picture was taken the night before his death as he danced to the vibrations of his nephews band playing at his Moms memorial. He was a special angel here on earth and now he smiles down on us. He is at peace with his Mom where he felt safest.
Honoring Jimmy Davis
A.K.A. "J.D. and "Mangrove Jim"
Jimmy lost a courageous battle with esophageal cancer on May 16, 2016. He was born on April 16, 1950 in Port St. Joe, Florida. He graduated from Florida State University after proudly enlisting and serving for 3 years in the United States Army, Military Police, 101st Airborne.
He and his wife Anita owned their outdoor furniture business in Kingston, NY and worked side by side for 25 years. Jimmy had a creative talent to design and build many unique custom pieces.
He and Anita enjoyed traveling and drove by way of the old 7 Mile Bridge in the mid-1970's to solve their curiosity about the Keys. They became longtime residents of the Keys where they raised their two daughters, Summer Rose and Amber Rose. He and Anita played music and entertained throughout the Keys for many years at Boondocks, Sugarloaf Lodge, Looe Key Tiki, Sunshine Key Resort, Key West and Big Pine Moose Lodge, Marathon American Legion, Galway Bay, Venture Out Resort, and many other venues.
Jimmy was an avid spear fisherman and enjoyed spending his time spearing mangrove snapper in the backcountry, He became known to many as "Mangrove Jim." He also loved cooking outdoors, eating raw oysters, and drinking cold beer. He was a dedicated Florida State football fan and enjoyed tailgating and FSU games with his family.
He loved everyone, had the best sense of humor, and was the life of every party. He was the most giving person and was always willing to lend a helping hand to ANYONE. His advice to everyone would be to live life to the fullest like he did because, as he would say, "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time.