Vernon F. Vineyard

VINEYARD, Vernon F. 90, of Placida, FL passed away Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 at his home in Placida Harbor. Vernon was born July 27, 1920 to Dora (Sierks) Vineyard and Philip Porter Vineyard in Chicago, IL. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1941 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. He proudly served two tours of duty for the United States Air Force during World War II and Korea. He married Janet (Handlos) Vineyard, June 23, 1945, in Land O' Lakes, WI. Mr. Vineyard had a son, Philip Porter Vineyard, Jr., and a daughter, Helen Jo Pierce. Vern worked with his father and brother in a public accounting business, and in 1948 he moved his wife and two children from Chicago, IL to Winter Haven, FL to open a branch of Vineyard & Vineyard CPA. Vern and his brother Philip were one of the early pioneers in McDonalds Restaurants. Personal friends of Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonalds Inc., the brothers were some of the first franchisees. Opening their first restaurant in 1957 and their second by 1958 in Riviera Beach, FL, their McDonalds pursuit continued to expand, expediting the sale of their public accounting business in 1966. Vineyard Industries, by this time was a chain of thirty-three McDonalds restaurants located throughout Florida: on the East Coast from Daytona Beach to West Palm Beach, and on the West Coast in Winter Haven, Lakeland, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton. His brother moved from Chicago to St. Petersburg, to concentrate on the business. In 1969, Vern moved the family from Winter Haven to St. Petersburg where he and his brother had established their primary Vineyard Industry Office. The Vineyard brothers were responsible for instituting some of the early financial tools used throughout the McDonalds system. Vern was on the first National Advertising Board (OPNAD) for the McDonalds organization and received numerous other awards during his tenure. Mr. Vineyard and his brother sold their entire restaurant chain to McDonalds Corporation in 1973, but retained ownership of Maximo Moorings Marina for a few years thereafter. He moved to the Englewood area in 1984. For his entire life, Vern spent part of each summer in Land O' Lakes, WI. He was a former member of Rotary Clubs in Winter Haven, St Petersburg, and Eagle River, WI. He was also a member on numerous boards including Goodwill Industries in St. Petersburg. For those who knew and loved him, he will be missed but never forgotten. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Janet H. Vineyard; daughter, Helen Jo Pierce of Port Charlotte, FL; son Philip Porter Vineyard, Jr. of Charleston, SC; 3 grandchildren, Rade Gratton of Okauchee, WI, Lee A. Volpe of Sarasota, FL, Sarah Porter Vineyard of Charleston, SC; and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Philip William Vineyard, and his sister, Helen Nymark. A Memorial Service will be held by the family next summer in Land O' Lakes, WI. Donations may be sent to Mayo Clinic-Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, Salvation Army Charlotte County Corps, P.O. Box 495126, Port Charlotte, FL 33949-5126, or Tidewell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34238. Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to sign the guest book and extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.