Earle Franklin Tolles

Earle F. Tolles, 86, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away Sunday, June 29, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Feb. 6, 1923, in Alamo, Texas, to Louis Clark Tolles and Lula Mae Rice.

He was the youngest of five children and a graduate of P.S.J.A. High School in McAllen, Texas. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and, after a short time in Ohio as an electrician, moved to Cape Coral in 1961 and started Con-Crete Seawalls with his brother, Ron Tolles, eventually adding Tolles Ready-Mix and Tolles Con-Crete Specialties.

He was a charter member of the Cape Coral Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, Cape Coral Construction Industry Association and Palmetto Pines Country Club. He was a former member of the Church of Resurrection in Fort Myers and, after participating in the early development of St. Andrew Catholic Church from its Cape Coral Yacht Club beginnings, continued to support the new St. Andrew upon returning to Cape Coral. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was dedicated to his community and received several recognitions for his contributions. He was a past president of the Cape Coral Rotary Club from 1973-74, was a Paul Harris Fellow and maintained a perfect attendance at Rotary for 41 years. He was named to the CCCIA Hall of Fame in 2003 and was a contributor to the Cape Coral Hospital Building Fund.

He loved making wine, woodworking and his computer, but most of all, he loved golf, as those who knew and loved him would attest. On Oct. 25, he scored his third hole in one at the age of 85.

He was attended by his loving family during this difficult time. He was not only a gentleman but a gentle man. He will always be remembered by his love of his family, life and golf.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Anna “Boots”; children, Dennis Tolles, Diana (Michael) Quackenbush, Debra (Bruce) Huntington, Michelle Ward, Vicki (Jeff) Stockman Willis, Karen (Will Hackett) Pocci, William (Sandra) Sommers and Carrie Place; grandchildren, Bryan Toilles, Barry Tolles, Ashley (Brett) Raslazsky, Brittney Ward, Garrett Ward, Gunner Ward, Sarah Stockman, Will Hackett, Will (Amy) Sommers, Geoffrey Somers and Melissa (Jim) Fabrowski; two great-grandchildren; and sister, Hermione Burson.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard and Ronald; sister, Virginia; and two previous wives, Frances and Helen.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Metz Funeral Home. Church services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, followed by burial services at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.

In lieu of flowers, put donations toward Rotary Club of Cape Coral Foundation, P.O. Box 101346, Cape Coral, FL 33910; Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, or Junior Golf.