Eight Bells: Herb Repass

Herb Repass, 94, of Vero Beach, FL. and Marion, MA, passed away from a stroke peacefully with his close family surrounding him on December 23, 2013.

Herb was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, February 3, 1919; he was the son of George and Minnie (Bozeman) Repass. He was predeceased by his loving daughter, Wendy Suozzo, his sister Gladys Green and his brother Edward Repass.

Herb leaves his wife of 70 years, Peggy (Kent) Repass, his son Randy and his wife Sally-Christine, of Watsonville California, his son George (Jay) and fiancee Trish of Bristol, RI and Stuart, Florida, and son-in-law James Suozzo of Slingerlands, New York. He was dearly loved by and active in the lives of his grandchildren, Elizabeth Holmes, Randy Repass Jr., Christopher and Matt Suozzo, Kent-Harris Repass, and great grandchildren Mukunda, Sara, George Wiley, Gardner, Quinn, and Rami and numerous nieces and nephews.

Herb attended Knoxville schools and the University of Tennessee in 1937 before moving to Rhode Island. There he attended the University of Rhode Island where he met his future bride Peggy, he having the lead in a musical and she in the chorus. He received his BS degree in engineering in 1941 after which he attended a US Navy accelerated course in Naval Architecture at MIT. In August 1942 he became commissioned Naval Officer in ship construction, proudly serving his country throughout World War II. After the war Herb and Peggy moved to Norwell, MA where he was active in town government, serving on the Planning Board and as Selectman. He was active in the Scituate Yacht Club and the Community Club.

He worked seventeen years in industrial management for the rope manufacturer, Plymouth Cordage Company. In 1967 he co-founded New England Ropes, Inc. in New Bedford Mass. with his friend and associate David Aigler. Herb served as President and chief designer of specialty ropes manufactured by the company for yachting, safety and rescue, arborist, mountaineering, lariats for cowboys, and the Navy and Coast Guard operations. Herb, Dave and his son Randy collaborated to sell rope for boating on the west coast spawning West Marine.

Peggy and Herb relocated to Marion, MA. where Herb sang with the Sippican Choral Society, and Peggy became Town Librarian. Together they enjoyed sailing and golf and are members of the Beverly Yacht Club and the Kittansett Club establishing many friendships.

Herb and Peggy, who introduced their family to sailing in the 50’s, loved sailing and joined their friends, children and grandchildren on sailing adventures in Massachusetts, Maine, Florida, British Columbia, Alaska, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

Upon his retirement in 1990 Herb and Peggy moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where he sang with the Vero Beach Choral Society and was active in boating and golfing with friends and family and was a member of the Moorings Club. Herb and Peggy presided over the annual family reunion and croquet tournament every year in Marion where they spent their summers.

Herb remained very active, always with several projects going and mowing his lawn into his early 90’s. He was deeply loved and will be missed by all who knew him. His active lifestyle, positive attitude, ingenuity, generous spirit and beautiful singing voice will remain inspirations.

There will be a cocktail gathering and celebration of Life at the Moorings Club in Vero Beach from 5 PM to 7 PM Monday December 30.

At a later 2014 date there will be a service of celebration and internment of ashes at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion where Herb was a choir member for many years.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach, FL.

Online condolences may be sent at http://www.coxgiffordseawinds.com/

Source: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131227/NEWS03/312270314/-1/NEWSMAP