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1 of 1977 Desguin, Louis Vic

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Name	Desguin, Louis Vic
Born	March 26, 1926
Deceased	08/23/23
Birthplace	Oneida, NY
Biographical Summary	Louis Vic Desguin was born on March 26, 1926 in Oneida, New York. When he was 10, his parents, Louis Sr. and Gertie, got the opportunity to purchase a movie theater in Punta Gorda to run as a family business. It was located at 210 West Marion Avenue where the Ace Hardware parking lot is today. They, along with Vic’s "brother" Freddie, arrived in Punta Gorda on September 9, 1936. The "New Theatre" operated until the early 1960’s, with Gertie running the box office and the boys selling popcorn in the early days. One particular occurrence the "picture show folks" are remembered for is opening a second theatre on the corner of Milus Street and East Olympia Avenue for the African-American community during segregation. Vic attended school at Charlotte High School, it housed 5th through 12th grade then, but didn’t graduate from Charlotte High. For some reason, which is still undetermined, his Mom and Dad decided to send he and Freddie to Saint Leo prep school near Dade City their senior year. After graduating in June 1944, Vic joined the Navy. After the war, Vic attended the University of Florida for two years. He then returned to Punta Gorda, working in the family business. On February 5, 1951, Vic married Peggy Rigell and they ended up with 6 children. He continued working in the family business, particularly after they purchased the Charlotte Harbor Drive-In Theatre in 1958, where Town and Country Shopping Center is today. During those years Vic also worked as a mason on most every home standing today in Charlotte Harbor on Melbourne and connecting streets. He also served a stint as director of the county chamber of commerce during the late 1950’s. In the mid 60’s he went to work for Arita Yeager, Charlotte County’s tax collector, and was appointed to that position when she retired in 1972. He was first elected tax collector in 1974 and served until his retirement in 1996. Peggy passed away in 1977 and a few years later, Vic married Charlotte Oglesby, adopting her son Shane, so now there are seven kids. From junior high in the 1950’s to Pop Warner for 20 years or so from the mid 60’s until the early 80’s, there was a time when, at some level, he coached just about every boy who ever played football in Charlotte County. He was also instrumental, with Peggy and others, in organizing the Youth Museum of Charlotte County, forerunner of today’s Charlotte County Historical Center. Like his father before him, Vic joined the Punta Gorda Kiwanis Club in the early 1980’s and served as president for the 1991-92 year. He is also a charter member of the Kiwanis Foundation of Charlotte County, serving on its board for many years. Vic passed away on August 23, 2023 and was remembered in the Punta Gorda History Center's Southern Supper 2024. (Prepared by Frank Desguin)
Occupation	Movie theater owner mason
Education	University of Florida
Spouse	Peggy Rigell, Charlotte Oglesby
Children	Frank Louie Jeanne Michael Joel Larry Shane
Father	Louis Desguin
Mother	Gertie Desguin

Related Records

1. compiled by the Old Timers Committee - As We Remember (2 copies)

   2008 Punta Gorda Old Timers Luncheon Booklet with brief histories of the following families: Cole, Peeples, Baker Dr. James Stephens Andersons Blair Bryant David Crafts Desguin Frank Rigell Goff John D. Riggs Gaskell Goulding Quednau Frizzell and Hindman Kirkland Maner Knight Monson McCann McDougall Peeples Persons Friday Sherrod Smith Janette Raulerson Janete Whitchurst Beulah and Leff Lowe Woodson Thomas Runkie Tria...

   Record Type: Library