Gulf Coast Village Foundation Enriching Resident Lives Through the Power of Giving

Dick has been a resident of Gulf Coast Village since 2025. Originally from eastern Pennsylvania, he served as a Lutheran pastor at eight congregations across Pennsylvania and Florida.

Throughout his ministry, he founded or helped establish numerous community initiatives, including two life plan communities – Village on the Isle and Gulf Coast Village – and four schools in Haiti, Sierra Leone, and Cape Coral. He also played a role in creating the Cape Coral Caring Center, Florida Fix, the Cape Coral Hospital Chaplaincy Program, three affordable housing developments, and three mission churches in Lee County.

Additionally, Dick contributed to developing Hope Hospice, resettled 100 Vietnamese families in Florida, served as Florida Director of ALOA supporting senior ministry programs, and has spoken for Food for the Poor.

At Gulf Coast Village, he founded and led the Outreach Committee and currently chairs the Foundation. In his free time, Dick enjoys traveling, reading, singing, and creating activities and events that bring people together.

Darlene has been residing at Gulf Coast Village since 2020, following a notable career as a Project Manager for the Long Island Railroad in New York. During her time there, she managed the installation of railroad signal systems and contributed to the team that installed the first double-decker signal hut in Jamaica, Queens.

Originally from New York City, Darlene enjoys reading, quilting, and making intricate counted cross-stitch projects.

Maureen joined the Foundation Board in 2026 after serving two years on the Foundation Scholarship Committee.

A native of New Jersey, she and her husband Jim moved to Gulf Coast Village in 2023 on their 52nd wedding anniversary. With a 30-year career as a high school business teacher, she has long been dedicated to advancing education.

Since 2003, Maureen has been an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, which offers scholarships, grants, and loans to support women’s higher education. In her free time, she enjoys reading historical fiction and biographies, playing cards and Mah Jongg, and staying actively involved in the Gulf Coast Village community.

Sally has called Gulf Coast Village home since 2017. A lifelong educator and librarian, she taught Russian in Virginia public schools, managed a Gifted & Talented program, and worked in historical research libraries. She also served as Head of Reference for the Lee County Library System before moving into leadership and teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida’s Library School.

Her travels have taken her around the world, with Siberia being her favorite destination. Nowadays, Sally enjoys reading, playing Scrabble, solving jigsaw puzzles, volunteering, spending time with friends, and doting on her cat, Sunny.

Dana has lived at Gulf Coast Village since 2025, bringing decades of project management and operational experience to the Foundation.

Originally from Miami, Florida, he has a background in purchasing management and has contributed to key hospitality projects throughout Southwest Florida. His experience includes aiding in the recovery of a Sanibel resort after Hurricane Charley and supporting the opening of the resort now called the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Tarpon Point.

Richard has been a Gulf Coast Village resident since 2024.

Originally from Illinois, he served three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, then briefly pursued a career in aviation. Later, he joined the U.S. Government, serving 41 years in the Intelligence Community in a variety of roles throughout the United States and overseas.

In his retirement, Rich enjoys traveling with his wife, volunteering with Kiwanis and their church, and spending time with their two cats, Frick and Frack.

Jack has called Gulf Coast Village home since 2023. Originally from Boston, he built a successful career as a self-employed printer, where he combined craftsmanship with entrepreneurship.

Today, he enjoys being an active member of the Gulf Coast Village community and takes pride in serving on the Foundation Board.

Kathleen has called Gulf Coast Village her home since 2023, following a notable career as a registered nurse.

She spent three decades as a school nurse within the Lee County School District, serving 27 schools, and later became President of the Florida Association of School Nurses. Kathleen also held a position on the Board of Directors for the National Association of School Nurses and provided expert consultation on national health initiatives for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

In her free time, Kathleen enjoys traveling, teaching, and serving in leadership at her church.