Ralph Nicholas "Buddy" Arand

Ralph Nicholas "Buddy" Arand, 58, husband of Beatrice A. Mahaffey Arand of Summerville, SC, formerly of Sebastian, FL., passed away unexpectantly on the afternoon of April 19, 1993. The family and friends of Buddy's were invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial in St. Sebastian's Catholic Church on Thursday, April 22, 1993 at 1:00 PM with Prayers of Final Commendation and Farewell following the service in Sebastian Municipal Cemetery. The family greeted friends at STRUNK FUNERAL HOME, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, Wednesday, April 21, 1993 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

Born, January 21, 1935 in Pittsburgh, PA, son of the late Conrad Arand and Elmira Yecho Arand. Buddy had retired from Chief of the Sebastian Volunteer Fire Dept and Ambulance Squad after 25 years of dedicated service. He was serving as the District Vice President with the Florida's State Firemen Association. Throughout his years as chief, he fought the county and had numerous fundraisers to get three firestations built in Sebastian. With all his hard work and dedication, he brought the original City Hall / Police Dept / Fire Dept. with one truck, one pick and one axe to the status at the time of his death of three stations, 15 fire trucks, four ambulances and 3 rescue trucks. He was at the time of his death employed with Cape Canaveral for the past 24 years as a fireman. Buddy was an active long time member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church formerly St. Williams Catholic Mission. He was a Fourth Degree Honor Guard with the Knights of Columbus in Sebastian. Buddy was named Man of the Year for the City of Sebastian in 1989. He was also a veteran of the United States Army during the Korean War. His favorite past times were, the Fire Dept., bowling, fishing, hunting, playing baseball and working at his toolbench in the garage, while whistling away to a song on the radio.

Buddy is survived by his wife of 38 years, Beatrice Arand, his son, James "Jim" Arand and his wife, Donna of Lady's Island, SC; daughter, Linda Arand Svelling and her husband, Arnold, of Ladson, SC; three grandchildren, Jennifer R. Tropea and her husband Matthew of Summerville, SC, Heather M. Svelling and her loved ones, Kurt and Malachi of Helena, AL, and Jimmy K. Svelling and his wife, Leanne of Ladson, SC; great-grandson, Brayden Matthew Tropea and future great-granddaughter, Emma Grace Svelling; sister-in-laws, Margie Cummins and her husband, Jim of Sebastian and Mary Compton and her husband Richard of Lakeland, FL; brother-in-law, Dawson Wright, Jr. of Pittsburgh, PA, also, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Delores Arand, a niece, Donna L. Cummins Robinson and nephew, Daniel J. Cummins. Since his death, family members, Mother-in-law, Margurite J. Mahaffey Hughes and sister, Irene Wright have passed away and have joined him in Heaven. May God bless them forever!

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made in his name to the Florida's State Firemens Association, 2450 US 27 South, Avon Park, FL 33825, or the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway, Marietta, GA 30067.