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5 Dec 2011


Lawrence Flatley, EN 3/C, CVE 106 - Korea Era

We have received word from Maribeth that her husband, Larry Flatley passed away on Tuesday, November 29th at Trinitas Regional Medical Center, NJ. He was a Director of the USS Block Island Association. We all shall miss Larry.  He and Maribeth were regular annual reunion attendees. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, December 3rd at 10:30am at St. Joseph the Carpenter Church. Donations can be made to the New Jersey Firemen's Home, 565 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005.


Cards may be sent to Maribeth Flatley:  330 W. Jersey Street, Apt. 5K, Elizabeth, NJ  07202-1860.

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17 Sep 2011


Ray Wilburn Warden, S1c, CVE 21/106

He was born to Henry Jacob and Myrtle Rich Warden in McKinney, TX August 9, 1922 and passed away September 17, 2011 in Garland ,TX. He served in the USS Navy aboard the USS Block Island CVE21 and USS Block Island CVE106 during WW II and belonged to the USS Block Island Association, which he frequented and enjoyed their reunions. After WW II, he drove truck, worked in furniture and hardware, and retired from Kraft Foods. He is survived by his daughter, Rayleene Morris; son, Richard Warden; daughter, Becky Wade; daughter, Robbie (Butch) Merriman; grandchildren, Kelly Inboden; Tammy (Steve) Burch , Sherri (Wayne) Hunt; Shawn Warden; Shannon Warden; Colin (Melissa) Warden; Sam (Jill) Warden ; Eric Merriman; Troy Merriman; a sister, Ozella Farley; nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth whom passed away April 2, 2008; brother, Earl Henry Warden; sister, Jeanette Irene Bryson.  Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 20, 2011 in Williams Memorial Chapel. 

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21 Aug 2011


Ken Bruce , CVE 106 Korea Era

Bill & Judy MacInnes received word from Tom Bruce, the son of Ken Bruce, that his father passed away at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, MN after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Tom sent this note to Bill & Judy:


Ken passed away peacefully in his room just before noon today. He was ready to go two weeks ago and battled to the end. Tough SOB! Making arrangements in the am and will keep you posted. Thanks for all you've done throughout the years. My dad was very proud of his navy friends and the military. Tom


Bill & Judy had just phoned him a few days ago and he sounded "weak" but very chipper and upbeat. Ken had hosted numerous BI Reunions, including Duluth, Minneapolis, Annapolis, Rhode Island, and others. He was a longtime volunteer at the St. Cloud Hospital, Friends of the Library, a founding member of the St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association as well as past president of the St. Cloud Area Personnel Association. He was also a member of the US Naval Institute and the Navy League.


Ken is survived by his son, Tom (Trish) of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Briana and T.J.; brother, Ray (Nora) of Mankato. Cards may be sent to Tom Bruce at 1104 23rd Avenue, North, St. Cloud, MN  56303-2514.

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22 Jul 2011


Your CHIPS editor has just learned that two association members passed away earlier this year:


John J. Perna, of Yonkers, died on January 15, 2011. He was 85. A Navy Veteran of WWII, John was the beloved husband of JoAnne Perna, loving father of Julie McClain, Teresa Perna, Francine Valenti and Christina Sassano and cherished grandfather of Jessica, Bernadette, John-Anthony, Michael and great-granddaughter Alyssa.  Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.  In lieu of flowers donations to St. Anthony's Church, Neppera Park Yonkers will be appreciated.


Robert L. Brendle Sr.  (USS Ahrens) On March 23, 2011, Robert L. Brendle Sr., of Glen Burnie, beloved husband of the late Betty Brendle; devoted father of Dawn Stilley and the late Robert L. Brendle, Jr.; loving grandfather of four; cherished great-grandfather of one; dear brother of the late Dr. William Brendle.   Donations may be made in his name to St. John Lutheran Church, 226 Washburn Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21225.

 

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23 May 2011


Bedford Jackson "Buck" Page, Sr. (GM 2/C, CVE 21/106) died at his home on May 22, 2011. He had been in declining health for about 10 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, and served on the USS Block Island, CVE 21 and after the sinking served on the second USS Block Island, CVE 106 until he was honorably discharged in March 1946. Buck attended college at Gardner Webb, Western Carolina, and UNC Chapel Hill. He was a teacher, athletic director, and coach during his successful career in education.

He served his community by being active in his church, Boy Scouts, American Legion, Elks, and other organizations. Buck is survived by his wife of 59 years, Blanche; his beloved children Jo Sicz, Sandra Tate, Beth Slade and Jack Page. He was the proud grandfather of four and great grandfather of two.

Cards may be sent to Mrs. Blanche Page, 1606 County Home Road, Yanceyville, NC  27379.

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10 Apr 2011


Alonzo B. Coleman (AMM 2/C, CVE 21/106) died April 2nd.  Alonzo was born in 1922.  Al leaves behind his
wife, Connie of 27 years, James and Mike Coleman, step-sons James & Ross Roberts, Dale Armstrong, Tina Tippett, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He served on the USS Block Island from 1941-1945.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred. 


Cards may be sent to his widow, Connie and step-son, James Roberts, who reside at 8645 S. Vineland, Bakersfield, CA  93307.



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23 Mar 2011


Chester (Chet) M. Frasher, (SKV, CVE 21/106) died at his home on March 18 in San Diego.  Chet was 86 years old.

 

He's survived by son, Charles and daughter, Judith.  His wife, Gloria, died in 2006.  His other two children are deceased (daughter Charlotte died in 1987 and son, Richard in 2005).  Chet's obituary was very short.  He was a member of the USS Block Island Assn. and the San Diego Mineral & Gem Society.

  

You may sign Chet's online Guest Book is as follows:http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/signonsandiego/obituary.aspx?n=chester-h-frasher&pid=149566133

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13 Feb 2011


Bill Rutledge (SKD, CVE 21/106), a regular BI Reunion attendee, will be turning 90 on February 16!


If you wish to send him a note or card, his address is:  2701 Sumner Ave., Hoquiam, WA  98550.  His email address is: will_rut@msn.com 


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12 Feb 2011


Bill MacInnes, Editor - CHIPS has received word from BI member, Calvin White that Chet Wentworth, Sr. (S 1/C, CVE 21/106) of Canton, MA  died on February 10.

 

You can view his obituary and sign his Guest Book at the email address, below.  Cards may be sent to his wife, Beatrice at 231 Bailey St., Canton, MA  02021-3953.

 

http://www.currentobituary.com/Memory.aspx?Memory_ObitdID=90726

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11 Jan 2011


The CHIPS Newsletter Editor received notification from Jody, the wife of Glenn Smith, that he passed away.  He and his wife were able to attend the 2009 BI Reunion in Spokane, WA.



Glenn E. Smith (Aviation Radioman Technician, CVE 21) died on December 27 at the age of 92.  He worked for Safeway 43 years and was District Manager in the old Spokane Division, now part of the Seattle (WA) Division.  following retirement in 1981 and he and his wife, Jody, enjoyed boating in Seattle & further North for several years, then turned the boat in for traveling on land in a 5th wheel.  They toured all the states, including Alaska & Canada retiring in 1992 to Yuma, AZ  which he loved.  Glenn and Jody attended the Block Island reunion in Spokane in 2009 and had a wonderful time.  He was a radioman on the original Block Island that was sunk in the Atlantic.  In addition to his wife Jody, Glenn is survived by Glenn is survived by, three sons -Calvin, Steven & Reid; two daughters, Susan & Carol; four stepdaughters, Linda, Julia, Laura & Betsy, plus numerous grandchildren & great grandchildren.  Cards may be sent to Mrs. Glenn (Jody) Smith:  13650 Frontage Rd., #530, Yuma, AZ  85367-7423.


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1 Jan 2011


Happy New Year!