Published by the Port Charlotte Sun, Port Charlotte, Fla. on Apr 3, 2008, page 19.
Ralph Edwin Matherly, 85, of
Cape Haze, Fla., died Sunday, March 30, 2008, at his Charlotte County,
Fla., residence, with his loving family at his side.
He was born Dec. 25, 1922, in Sarasota, Fla., to Jones and Mary Jane (nee Joyner) Matherly.
Upon graduating from Sarasota High School, Ralph attended Colgate University in upstate New York, and graduated in 1947 as a top athlete, earning seven varsity letters and freshman numerals in football, baseball and track. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, and was a boxer during his enlistment, obtaining the rank of master sergeant. After the was, he attended Florida State University, earning his master's degree in science. Afterward, he became the head baseball coach, athletic dir4ector, tennis coach and assistant football coach for FSU. Ralph and his wife, Patricia, were the founders, builders and original owners of Gasparilla Marina, which they started in 1960 and retired from in 1984. A consummate worker, he was one of the founders and dire3ctor of Englewood Bank in Englewood, Fla., for 16 years, and chairman of the board from 1988 to 1998. He also enjoyed sports and reading.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia A. Matherly;
children, Ralph J. (Debbie) Matherly of Brooksville, Fla., Bruce R. (Donna)
Matherly of Englewood, Keith (Cindy Handrick) Matherly of Englewood,
Kimleigh J. (Robert) Matherly-Bymakos of Cape Haze, and Raymond (Susan)
Younge of Riverview, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and three
great-grandchildren.