Donald "Don" Roll

Donald F. "Don" Roll, 87, Punta Gorda, FL passed away September 18, 2014. He was the son of George and Esther (Kuehner) Roll, born December 29, 1926 in Lorain, OH. Don served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He began work with the city of Punta Gorda after moving from Lorain, OH in 1969. By 1974, he was appointed as the Public Works Director and served until he retired in 1990. He was responsible for starting many organizations, including the Gulf Coast Governmental Purchasing Agents, a chapter of the S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. Barber Shop Quartet, a blood bank in Punta Gorda, the Punta Gorda Municipal Employees Credit Union, and the V.F.W. Post in Punta Gorda.

In 1972, Don joined the Port Charlotte Elks Lodge and was founder of the Punta Gorda Elks Lodge No 2606 seven years later, where he served as the first Exalted Ruler in 1980 and District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 2000. He also served as Chaplain for the Florida State Elks Association. He joined the Rotary in 1973, and was voted Outstanding Rotarian of the Year as well as being awarded a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the United Way and was also a member of the V.F.W., the Moose Lodge, the Punta Gorda Historical Society, C.H.E.C., and served as Ponce de Leon for the Conquistadors. As well as volunteering his time for the American Cancer Society and the Salvation Army, Don was very giving of his time and expertise.

Don will be greatly missed by his wife, Carlene; sons Gregory Roll of Wellington, OH and Donn Roll of Bradenton, FL; and daughters Dawn Glading of Vermillion, OH, Jacquie (Ron) Rehner of Lakeland, FL, and Candice Roll of North Port, FL.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at the Punta Gorda Elks Lodge, 25538 Shore Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Memorial donations may be made to Florida Elks Youth Camp or The Rotary Foundation. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com to share in Don’s Life Story and to leave memories for his family.

Arrangements under the direction of Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery, Cape Coral, FL.