Ronald Worswick - Ron has contributed to the Evergreen Cemetery since 1998-99 until his death. Not only was he a contributor, but he was a very good friend. And well loved by Alton Williams, Chairman of Evergreen Cemetery. As it says on his headstone, “He was a nice guy.” He was not about show, he was always straight and direct to the point, and that’s what I loved about him. He is solely missed.
When sailor Ronald James Worswick met his love, Dolores, at a dime-dance in Philadelphia back in 1946, he didn’t know she “didn’t like him.” Or that his 17-year-old date spent the evening trying to ditch him and thought his name was “Barney” -mishearing “Ronnie” spoken through his nasal Boston-accent. Or that his hometown was Peabody, which he pronounced “PEE-buh-dee.” Forgot it, she didn’t know what he was saying. But a few days later, when Worswick sent her a telegram asking for a date Saturday night, she was too polite to say “no.” “I wish I saved that telegram,” said Dolores Worswick his wife of 58 years. Ron Worswick, 78, died at his Casselberry home Friday night, after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer, his family said. He’s best known for turning a once-small wire-rope company in Orlando into a $31 million company, Certified Slings, which sells everything from hard hats to cargo straps and nets.
”From one little seed, he grew a big, big tree,” she said, adding that he always remained humble. He worked as a draftsman after his stint in the Navy, which included amateur boxing, and brought his family to Orlando from Boston in the late 1950s.
Dolores Worswick said that he headed south after a bitterly cold New England winter day, and that he first worked for a NASA contractor. While on a two-hour-each-way bus ride from Orlando to Cape Canaveral, Worswick designed and received a patent on a new kind of mechanical link, and launched his own business.
The pair raised three sons. And their interests included boxing and breeding racehorses. Ron Worswick remained active until April, when cancer slowed him. After receiving a poor prognosis, he asked to come home Tuesday to spend his last days with family.
He asked that his tombstone simple read: “He was a nice guy.”
Worswick also is survived by sons Donald Worswick of Orlando and Dennis Worswick and Douglas Worswick of Winter Park; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Carley Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home, Winter Park, is handling arrangements.
When sailor Ronald James Worswick met his love, Dolores, at a dime-dance in Philadelphia back in 1946, he didn’t know she “didn’t like him.” Or that his 17-year-old date spent the evening trying to ditch him and thought his name was “Barney” -mishearing “Ronnie” spoken through his nasal Boston-accent. Or that his hometown was Peabody, which he pronounced “PEE-buh-dee.” Forgot it, she didn’t know what he was saying. But a few days later, when Worswick sent her a telegram asking for a date Saturday night, she was too polite to say “no.” “I wish I saved that telegram,” said Dolores Worswick his wife of 58 years. Ron Worswick, 78, died at his Casselberry home Friday night, after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer, his family said. He’s best known for turning a once-small wire-rope company in Orlando into a $31 million company, Certified Slings, which sells everything from hard hats to cargo straps and nets.
”From one little seed, he grew a big, big tree,” she said, adding that he always remained humble. He worked as a draftsman after his stint in the Navy, which included amateur boxing, and brought his family to Orlando from Boston in the late 1950s.
Dolores Worswick said that he headed south after a bitterly cold New England winter day, and that he first worked for a NASA contractor. While on a two-hour-each-way bus ride from Orlando to Cape Canaveral, Worswick designed and received a patent on a new kind of mechanical link, and launched his own business.
The pair raised three sons. And their interests included boxing and breeding racehorses. Ron Worswick remained active until April, when cancer slowed him. After receiving a poor prognosis, he asked to come home Tuesday to spend his last days with family.
He asked that his tombstone simple read: “He was a nice guy.”
Worswick also is survived by sons Donald Worswick of Orlando and Dennis Worswick and Douglas Worswick of Winter Park; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Carley Hand Cox-Parker Funeral Home, Winter Park, is handling arrangements.
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Evergreen Cemetery, Inc. Presents the Community Service Award
To: Faith Ralston by the cemetery board on December 12th, 2009
To: Faith Ralston by the cemetery board on December 12th, 2009
Copyright © 2011 EverGreenCemetery. All rights reserved.
The Community Service Award is an annual award, presented in December of each year to recognize an individual, which during the current year or over several years, has made contributions to the cemetery or the Corporation which substantially improved the cemetery property and/or its appearance. This non-monetary award is used strictly to recognize outstanding support to a cemetery organization which benefits the whole community.
James Hill - The Evergreen Cemetery is honor to have James Hill do a report on the rich history of the cemetery that is within our community. This report earned him an A. Here is what James wrote:
"James wrote this essay for a research project for his Anthropology class at Valencia Community College, which gave the option of researching the history of a local cemetery and gathering information about those buried there. His parents and him discovered Evergreen through a newsletter that was distributed by his neighbor. He is currently a senior at Lyman high school dual-enrolled at Valencia."
"James wrote this essay for a research project for his Anthropology class at Valencia Community College, which gave the option of researching the history of a local cemetery and gathering information about those buried there. His parents and him discovered Evergreen through a newsletter that was distributed by his neighbor. He is currently a senior at Lyman high school dual-enrolled at Valencia."
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Volunteerism at it's best
November 7th fundraiser for Evergreen Cemetery.
From left to right:
Kendy Menelas, Jacky Menelas, Valery Menelas
Debra Jones, Nathaniel Gadson, Kennith Hunt, Meldred Wilder.
At the November 7th 2010 fundraiser these volunteers worked hard to further the process in continuing to be able to keep a well maintained cemetery, to improve roads, plotting and install sign age.
November 7th fundraiser for Evergreen Cemetery.
From left to right:
Kendy Menelas, Jacky Menelas, Valery Menelas
Debra Jones, Nathaniel Gadson, Kennith Hunt, Meldred Wilder.
At the November 7th 2010 fundraiser these volunteers worked hard to further the process in continuing to be able to keep a well maintained cemetery, to improve roads, plotting and install sign age.
The history of the cemetery dates back to 1890 when Laura and William Brawner donated 16 acres of land for the establishment of a cemetery for black slaves. It was named Evergreen. During this time, blacks and whites were not allowed to be buried together. The first pioneer trustees of the cemetery were George W. Cook, L.W. Fountain, S.E. Jones, WE. Merritt, William M. Jones, John W. Ford, K.G. Gray and John Daniel Merritt.
These early pioneers were later employed as laborers with the fern industry. They worked first for Gordon Barnett and later for Hibbard Casselberry. While working in the fern industry, many went on to operate their own businesses, including grocery stores and building homes.
Inside the confines of the cemetery grounds were “shotgun” houses. Traditionally within the black southern community, these were narrow houses without halls. If a bullet was fired through the front door, it would go right out the back door without hitting a wall. These houses were offered rent free and were known in the community as the Barnett and Casselberry quarters.
In the beginning, five churches helped maintain the grounds the Evergreen Cemetery. They were; Freewill Baptist Church, New Bethel AME Church, St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, and a sanctified church which is now known as Church of God in Christ Love Tabernacle Church. One common cemetery maintenance practice was to cut the sand pines for Christmas trees. Over the years, the name “Evergreen” was forgotten. The cemetery has also been known as Altamonte Colored Cemetery, Fern Park Cemetery, and Altamonte and Fern Park Community Cemetery. Through the research efforts of Alton Williams, the cemetery in 2007 was returned to its original name of Evergreen Cemetery.
These early pioneers were later employed as laborers with the fern industry. They worked first for Gordon Barnett and later for Hibbard Casselberry. While working in the fern industry, many went on to operate their own businesses, including grocery stores and building homes.
Inside the confines of the cemetery grounds were “shotgun” houses. Traditionally within the black southern community, these were narrow houses without halls. If a bullet was fired through the front door, it would go right out the back door without hitting a wall. These houses were offered rent free and were known in the community as the Barnett and Casselberry quarters.
In the beginning, five churches helped maintain the grounds the Evergreen Cemetery. They were; Freewill Baptist Church, New Bethel AME Church, St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church, William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, and a sanctified church which is now known as Church of God in Christ Love Tabernacle Church. One common cemetery maintenance practice was to cut the sand pines for Christmas trees. Over the years, the name “Evergreen” was forgotten. The cemetery has also been known as Altamonte Colored Cemetery, Fern Park Cemetery, and Altamonte and Fern Park Community Cemetery. Through the research efforts of Alton Williams, the cemetery in 2007 was returned to its original name of Evergreen Cemetery.
What volunteers means to us
Kendy Menelas - I am a volunteer because I will be able to help the community.
Jacky Menelas - I enjoy volunteering because I like giving back to the community.
Valery Menelas - I like helping people and giving back to the people who have helped me out.
Debra Jones - I enjoy volunteering because it's helping others.
Nathaniel Gadson - I am a volunteer because I wish to support the community that I grew up in all my life.
Kennith Hunt - I just enjoy volunteering and working with and helping others.
Meldred Wilder - I'm volunteering to give back to my community by helping my community.
Sylvia Denson (not pictured) - Volunteer means giving back and helping others within the community. So the community can help itself.
Yvette Madison (not pictured) - I just love working with and helping people knowing that God will always watch over others that help others.
Kendy Menelas - I am a volunteer because I will be able to help the community.
Jacky Menelas - I enjoy volunteering because I like giving back to the community.
Valery Menelas - I like helping people and giving back to the people who have helped me out.
Debra Jones - I enjoy volunteering because it's helping others.
Nathaniel Gadson - I am a volunteer because I wish to support the community that I grew up in all my life.
Kennith Hunt - I just enjoy volunteering and working with and helping others.
Meldred Wilder - I'm volunteering to give back to my community by helping my community.
Sylvia Denson (not pictured) - Volunteer means giving back and helping others within the community. So the community can help itself.
Yvette Madison (not pictured) - I just love working with and helping people knowing that God will always watch over others that help others.
