Members You Need to Meet
Carol and Ray Rose
May, 2010
Carol and Ray Rose have volunteered their ample talents to the PGICA for over a decade. What a decade it’s been! Where would our organization have been without them? They’ve done tough jobs, behind the scenes jobs, donating their time and considerable expertise freely getting big jobs done without fanfare.
- When you look at our beautiful building, thank the Roses.
- When you receive The Commentator, thank the Roses for the automated mailing system.
- When you see the wonderful sponsorship developed for The Commentator, thank the Roses.
- When you use the projector or sound system, thank the Roses.
- When you use “PGI Shops Punta Gorda”, thank the Roses.
- When you use your PGICA Directory, thank the Roses.
- When you add up the advertising revenue for The Commentator and the Directory, thank the Roses.
This impressive list of accomplishments has made PGICA the effective civic organization it is today. Ray was responsible for negotiating the sale of the old building and finding our new location. He did not work alone, but with his guidance, PGICA came to be what we know today. Every month Ray and Carol print the labels which volunteers, led by them, paste on The Commentator for mailing. Ray then lugs two thousand copies to the post office. He always makes himself available for data base entry, such as help on membership list, club lists, etc. He has served as President elect, President, past President and Government Affairs Liaison for the PGICA Board.
In his idle hours, he became CERT coordinator, Treasurer of the Mural Society, Power Squadron Liaison to the County Marine Advisory Council and trustee for Cultural Center, joined the PGICA Cruising Club, the Board of Zoning Appeals and organized the PGICA “Meek Geeks”.
Carol was Marketing Director for six years and established many of the advertisers you see today in The Commentator and the Directory. “PGI Shops Punta Gorda” was her brainchild. She did the early legwork to establish all the original advertising and much of what you see today for this successful program. She continues to this day. Your 2010 Directory advertising came through Carol.
Ray and Carol met in high school while growing up in Buffalo, New York. They spent twelve years in the Air Force stationed in California, overseas and Washington D.C. Ray next moved to Kodak in Rochester, NY to specialize in Facility and Real Estate Management. During these years, Carol worked for Pennwalt and later, Bausch & Lomb in Food and Drug Law Liaison. They raised two beautiful daughters and now have two delightful grandchildren. In May, Ray and Carol celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
How did we get so lucky? Working on the National Board for the American Society of Industrial Security, Ray and Carol often travelled. One such trip took them to Burnt Store Marina. They discovered Charlotte Harbor, traveled to Harpoon Harry’s on St. Patrick’s Day and while drinking green beer and watching a beautiful sunset, both said, “What’s not to like here?” They explored Punta Gorda Isles and settled here in October 1998. The PGICA was definitely the winner…thank you Carol and Ray.