Longboat Key Obituaries: April 6, 2017

Frank L. Gangi

Frank Gangi, 81, of Sarasota, died Jan. 3.

He was born in Somerville, Mass., to Frank and Yolanda Gangi.

Gangi joined the National Guard at age 17 and enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18. He served for more than 22 years, rising to the rank of master sergeant. He is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars and received the Bronze Star in 1969 while in Vietnam.

He retired to Sarasota in 1975 and was a JROTC instructor at Sarasota and Riverview high schools. After retiring as a teacher, he worked at the Tangerine Bay Club on Longboat Key and started his own business of monitoring homes for seasonal residents.

He is survived by his son, Frank E. Gangi; daughter, Lisa M. Gangi; grandson, Cameron; and brothers Richard and Michael.

A committal ceremony with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 14, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 S.R. 72.

Memorial donations can be made to Operation Second Chance, 20251 Century Blvd., Suite 130, Germantown, Md., 20874 or Operation Patriot Support, Care of The PHM Group, 540 48th St. Court E., Bradenton.

The Rev. J. Clifford Grise

The Rev. J. Clifford Grise, 97, died March 25.

He was born in Southington, Conn., to David and Mary Grise. He studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, Conn. and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained on March 17, 1945.

During his more than 72 years of service, he worked in various churches and was a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1963, he became the first pastor at St. Agnes Church in Greenwich, where he stayed until he was appointed pastor and principal at St. Peter Church in Danbury.

He retired in 1986 but assisted St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church on Longboat for many years. He later returned to Connecticut and resided at the Catherine Dennis Keefe, Queen of the Clergy Residence for retired priests in Samford.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

Donations can be made to the Development-Expansion Fund of Queen of Clergy, 274 Strawberry Hill Ave., Stamford, Conn., 06902.