Louis "Vic" Victor Desguin Jr

Louis Victor “L. Victor / Vic” Desguin, Jr., 97, left this mortal world peacefully in his sleep early Wednesday morning, August 23, to join family and friends who went before him. It’s tough on those who know and love him, but there is a joyous reunion going on!

Vic was born March 26, 1926 in Oneida, New York to Louis Victor “Louis” Desguin, Sr. and Gertrude Mullen “Gertie” Desguin. When he was 10, the Desguin family headed to Punta Gorda, arriving September 9, 1936, to operate the city’s moving picture theater in the 200 block of West Marion Avenue where the Ace Hardware parking lot is today. Details will appear later, but perhaps not so coincidently, his Celebration of Life will be held on the 87th anniversary of his arrival in Punta Gorda, to the day!

Although Vic attended school in Punta Gorda through 11th grade, he and his brother “Moonie” actually graduated from Saint Leo College Preparatory School, now Saint Leo University, just southwest of Dade City in central Florida. Try as we might, no one could ever get either of them to explain why!

Vic is a World War II veteran, joining the U. S. Navy upon graduating high school in 1944. He served as a corpsman, stationed at Mayport and Cecil Field near Jacksonville for the war’s duration. He didn’t serve in combat, but “tongue in cheek” maintained he fought the “Battle of Jacksonville”, when a strong tropical storm passed over the area in October 1944. He was honorably discharged in July 1946.

After attending the University of Florida for two years, Vic returned home and married Punta Gorda native Peggy Rigell on February 5, 1951, who he’d known for years.. There is a great story concerning how that came about! Together they have six children, five sons and one daughter. Peggy passed away in 1977 and a few years later, Vic married Charlotte Oglesby, adopting her son Shane. They were married for over 40 years.

Vic is well known for his community involvement, dedication to youth sports, and sports in general. He loved his Charlotte High Tarpons, “Don’t you wish you could be a fish!”, and the University of Florida Gators, although all his kids, along with most grandkids and great grandkids are Florida State fans! He blamed that, laughingly, on Peggy since the family spent many summers in Tallahassee while she pursued her degree in childhood education.

In the 1950’s he coached Charlotte High’s B squad football team and in 1956, while serving as the Chamber of Commerce’s first executive director, was instrumental in bringing little league baseball to Punta Gorda. He also spent decades coaching Tiny Tarpon and Charlotte Warriors players at the Pop Warner football level, with many going on to excel at both Charlotte High School and Port Charlotte High School. He became involved with Charlotte High’s swim team when Peggy convinced local educators to reestablish the school’s long absent program in the early 1970’s. Vic announced Charlotte High baseball games for some 20 years beginning in the early 1990’s and in February 2004 the field, now known as “The Vic”, was named in his honor.

In the mid-1960’s, with a growing family and a slow down in the theater business due to television, Vic took a job with then Charlotte County Tax Collector, Mrs. E. B. Yeager. Upon Mrs. Yeager’s retirement in 1972, he was appointed to replace her by Governor Rueben Askew. Reelected 5 times, Vic retired as Charlotte County’s tax collector in 1996. He always got a “kick” out of writing checks to himself!

In 1969, along with wife Peggy and several other community supporters, he helped establish the Youth Museum of Charlotte County, which evolved into the Charlotte County Historical Center, our county museum. Unfortunately, the museum closed after Hurricane Charley. Hopefully, it will be reestablished in the not-too-distant future!

Vic followed in his Dad’s footsteps as president and longtime member of Punta Gorda’s Kiwanis Club and president/board member of the Kiwanis Foundation of Charlotte County. As a Jaycee, he always enjoyed the “Short Pants Day” fundraiser and helped plan Punta Gorda’s first airshow on New Year’s Day 1950, predecessor to today’s annual event. Vic was a member of Punta Gorda’s Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years, and fought many fires, including the El Jobean bridge and demise of Hotel Punta Gorda in 1959. He was also “Santa’s Helper” at numerous community and school events during the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s.

Treasuring his memory are his wife of over 40 years, Charlotte (Oglesby) Desguin; seven children, Frank (Teresa) Desguin of Punta Gorda, Louis Desguin of Punta Gorda, Jeanne (Joe) Radwick of Venice, Mike (Sandra) Desguin of Houston, Texas, Joel Desguin of Punta Gorda, Larry (Kimberly) Desguin of Oviedo, Florida, and Shane (Heather) Desguin of Crawfordville, Florida; thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, seems thirteen CAN be a lucky number, along with several nieces and nephews.

Vic was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Gertie, first wife Peggy, sister-in-law Jean “Wonderful One” Rigell, brother Joe “Moonie” Moore and his “Sullivan Street pals”.

Visitation will be held, Thursday, September 7, 5-7, at Kays-Ponger and Uselton Funeral Home, 635 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda; Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, September 8, 11am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 West Charlotte Avenue, Punta Gorda.

All are invited to his Celebration of Life, Saturday, September 9, 11am, Punta Gorda Woman’s Club, 118 Sullivan Street, Punta Gorda to share stories and remembrances.

He is a special guy! Thank you all for the kind words and remembrances.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Foundation of Charlotte County (KFCC), P. O. Box 510273, Punta Gorda, FL, 33951, to establish an endowed memorial scholarship for a Charlotte High student.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kayspongerpg.com for the Desguin family.