Richard M. "Dick" Hoisington

Richard "Dick" Hoisington of Merritt Island, died on May 22, 2011 at the Miami VA Hospice unit from Alzheimer's and cancer. He was 86 years old. Dick lived a full, exciting and productive life, for himself, his family and friends, and his country.

He is survived by his wife, Cora Lee Hoisington; his daughter, Coleen Redlien; his two grandsons, Brad Redlien and Parker Redlien; and his sister, Martha Eachus.

Dick was born in Columbus, Ohio and he graduated from the University of Ohio in 1949. He was a longtime resident of Merritt Island, Florida, and he recently moved to Coral Gables, Florida to be closer to his family.

Dick taught at Merritt Island High School, owned a yacht brokerage, and developed a marina along the Barge Canal. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 22, the Elks Lodge No. 1532, the VFW Post No. 10148, the Moose Lodge No. 2073, and the Cape Canaveral Yacht Club, formerly the Cocoa Beach Yacht Club, where he served as the second commodore in the 1980s.

A veteran of World War II, Dick served as a paratrooper in 2nd Battalion 513th Parachute Infantry 17th Airborne Division. He earned several medals, including the Purple Heart.

Services will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Brevard Memorial Funeral Home, 5475 N. US 1, Cocoa, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to "Miami VAHS" please note in the memo section "Fisher House, GPF #8033" to ensure the donation reaches the Fisher House account and mail to: Miami VA Healthcare System, Voluntary Service (135), 1201 N.W. 15th Street, Miami, FL 33125.