08/16/05

Claudia B. Stubbins,
retired beautician
Claudia B. Byrd Stubbins, 76, of Lewes, died Friday, August 12, 2005, at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington.
Mrs. Stubbins was born March 31, 1929 in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., the daughter of the late Lee and Pearl McCully Byrd. Mrs. Stubbins was a beautician for more than 40 years near Baltimore.
Mrs. Stubbins is survived by her husband, Thomas Lee Stubbins of Lewes; a daughter, Donna Bartell of Georgia; three sons, Mark Stubbins of Florida, and Kirk Stubbins and Craig Stubbins both of Maryland; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; a sister, Deanie Heathcoat of Florida; a brother, I. J. Byrd of Maryland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
All services are private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Harbor Lights Center, 34211 Woods Edge Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.

Ralph L. Catts,
retired from L.D. Caulk
Ralph L. Catts, 81, of Milford, died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005, in Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Catts was born Feb. 27, 1924, in Mendenhall Mills, son of the late William Hazel and Emma (Fuchs) Catts.
He was a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, Long Island, N.Y. He served his country in the United States Navy and the Merchant Marines during World War II. In the 1990s, he was recognized at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. for his efforts in taking supplies to needy ships in Mermans, Russia.
Mr. Catts worked in research for 42 years at L.D. Caulk Co. in Milford, retiring in 1989.
He was known by all as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. His happy spirit, determination, and love for others encouraged many.
Mr. Catts was a member of the Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Catts; and a brother, Harry H. Catts.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlotte Hirsch Catts; a daughter and a son-in-law, Lynn C. and Larry P. Lee of Greenwood; a brother and a sister-in-law, Dick and Connie Catts of Rehoboth Beach; two grandchildren, Jessica L. Lee and Jacob P. Lee, both of Greenwood; eight nieces and nephews; and loving neighbors of 55 years, Otis and Marie Webb.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 N. Church St., Milford. Burial will be in Milford Community Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to the FMC Dialysis Service, Suite 656D, North Dupont Highway, Milford DE 19963.
Arrangements by Rogers Funeral Home, Milford.

Albert L. Laporte,
General Foods retiree
Albert L. Laporte, 78, of Dover died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005, in Christiana Hospital, Christiana.
Mr. Laporte was born in Palisades Park, N.J., son of the late Ross A. and Rose Laporte.
He had served in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Laporte was employed with General Foods Corp., and with the opening of the General Foods plant in Dover, he and his family moved to Dover in 1963. He retired from General Foods in 1985, where he had served as a packaging engineer and supervisor.
He enjoyed, in his quieter moments, golfing, boating, target pistol shooting and gardening. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.
Mr. Laporte was active in community affairs and had served in several chairs with the B.P.O. Elks of Dover, was a past exalted ruler and later served for several years on the board of trustees. He was also a member of Camden-Wyoming Moose Lodge and American Legion Walter L. Fox Post 2.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Suzanne J. Laporte, in 1978.
He is survived by his wife of more than 25 years, Marietta Coppock Laporte of Dover; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Ross A. “Rusty” and Arleen Laporte of Lewes and Lawrence C. “Larry” and Jennifer Laporte of Dover; three stepdaughters, Marietta “Sissy” Stokes of Dover, Sandra Eigenbrode of Milton and Cheryl Birdsall and her husband, Richard, of Dover; a sister, Winifred Schmidt of Elmwood Park, N.J.; and six grandchildren, W. Tyler Laporte, J.R. Passon, Christen Osika, Justin Stokes, Cody Birdsall and Dylan Birdsall, all of Dover.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Holy Cross Church, Dover. Burial in Sharon Hill Memorial Park will be private.
Contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, 1151 Walker Road, Suite 202, Dover DE 19904.
Arrangements by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc., Dover.
Ernest R. Arpie,
antique dealer
Ernest R. Arpie, 65, of Millsboro, formerly of Bridgeport, Conn., died Friday, Aug. 12, 2005, in Beebe Medical Center, Lewes.
He was born in Bridgeport, son of the late Paul G and Vincenza C. Arpie.
Mr. Arpie ran Red Barn Antique and Collectibles in Dagsboro for the past several years. He enjoyed going to auctions and participating in the junk business.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nancy Lee Arpie; a son, Paul L. Arpie of Millsboro; three daughters, Donna L. Knorr of Millsboro, Evelynn Eller of Laurel and Diana Marsh of Angola; a brother, Ronald Arpie of Georgia; two sisters, Barbara Fusco of Shelton, Conn., and Virginia Canter of Florida; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
Memorial services will be 6 p.m. Tuesday in Watson Funeral Home, 211 Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Robert Hudson will officiate.
Burial will be private.

Dorothea B. Cheeseman,
social worker
Dorothea Beyer Cheeseman, 90, of Sylvania, Ohio, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2005, in Sunset Village Retirement Home, Sylvania.
Mrs. Cheeseman was born July 20, 1915, in Philadelphia.
She graduated from Oberlin College and obtained her master of social work from the University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Cheeseman was the former administrator and chief psychiatric social worker at Salem Co. Guidance in Salem, N.J.
Throughout her life, she was involved in many church activities and civic affairs as well as in her social work profession.
Mrs. Cheeseman was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Salem for the past 37 years.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, George W. Dolby, in 1966; and her second husband, J. Wesley Cheeseman, in 1992.
She is survived by a sister, Virginia Laughlin of Frederick, Md.; three nieces and their families, Patricia Bair of Maumee and Cary Kuhar and Susan Reynolds, both of Maryland; a nephew and his family, John Laughlin of Maryland; three stepchildren and their families, J. Wesley Cheesman Jr., Sue Ann Betts, both of Pennsville, N.J., and Audrey McDaniel of Paulsboro, N.J.; and two cousins, Loretta Hornbarger of Millsboro, and Genevieve Cooke of Maryland.
Services will be noon Wednesday in Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call one hour earlier. The Rev. Kerry Shull will officiate.
Burial will be in Mariner’s Bethel Cemetery, Ocean View, Del.
Contributions are suggested to First Presbyterian Church, 88 Market St., Salem, NJ 08079.

Myrtle Lucille Hopewell Shaw,
active Methodist church woman
Myrtle Lucille Hopewell Shaw, 91, of Lewes, died peacefully at home on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2005.
She was the ninth child of 12 children. She was born Jan. 9, 1914, and raised by the late Hannah Renner Hopewell and the late Hiram Burton Hopewell, growing up on a farm in Northumberland, Pa., and graduating from Northumberland High School in the class of 1932. She attended nursing school in Flushing, N.Y., and from the time of her high school graduation until she retired, Myrtle had many job experiences.
Myrtle was predeceased by her husband Edward A. Shaw, who died in 1962. He was an electrical contractor in the Richardson Park area of Wilmington. She is also predeceased by brothers and sisters: David Valentine Hopewell, Anne Hopewell Smoot, Emily Hopewell Brokaw, Phillip Allen Hopewell, John Burton Hopewell, Frank Hanford Hopewell, Myron Calvin Hopewell, Harold Edward Hopewell, William Vastine Hopewell and Lois Marian Hopewell Lesher.
She will be dearly missed by her daughter, Susan Eileen Shaw Kremer and her husband Steven Michael Kremer, who joyfully cared for her in their home for the past six and half years, grandson Steven Michael Kremer Jr., wife Jennifer Rae Snyder Kremer, great grandchildren, Dylan Michael Kremer and Katelynn Nicole Kremer.
She is survived and will be dearly missed by her brother Joseph Elmaker Hopewell of Millville, Pa., and his children: Marian Hopewell Lacey and husband Richard Lacey, Kathy Hopewell and daughter Janna Ward, and Gloria Hopewell Kelsey and husband Michael Kelsey, sister-in-law Roxanne Hopewell and children: Phillip and Linda Hopewell and their children Audra and Jed, Barbara and Dave Leffler and their children Trisha and Doug Klinger, and Nancy Hopewell. In addition to the aforementioned, Myrtle is survived by numerous nieces and nephews across the United States and other parts of the world.
Over her lifetime, Myrtle enjoyed many job experiences. She worked at the Danville State Hospital in Danville, Pa., as well as Laurelton State Village. She also worked in the resort at Eaglesmere, Pa., for Sears Roebuck Company in Sunbury, Pa., and during World War II she worked at Lycoming Motors in Williamsport, Pa., making airplane parts and at Westinghouse in Sunbury, Pa.
Myrtle moved to Wilmington, Delaware where she trained and worked as a dental assistant. She was a cafeteria worker at Richardson Park Elementary School and took care of women in her home who were transitioning from the state hospital back to their community and work. One of her favorite jobs was caring for the elderly. She worked as a geriatric aide as a private duty caregiver. After a long career of numerous jobs taking her from Pennsylvania to Delaware, Myrtle retired and moved to Rehoboth Beach in 1973.
Myrtle was always active in church activities. She played the organ as well as the piano, taught Sunday school, attended womens’ circles, sang in choir and sang many solos for weddings and other events. She volunteered to teach inmates how to read, worked with the handicapped and cooked many church meals. She was a member of numerous Methodist churches, including Northumberland Christ, Richardson Park, Epworth, Long Neck, Venice-Nakomis and Bethel United. Fellowship, activities of the church, and her church family was very important to Myrtle.
Myrtle was very active in senior citizen activities in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes senior centers from the time she moved to the Cape Region in 1973. Myrtle also had a home in Florida, and while living there, she took up ballroom dancing and participated in competitions throughout Florida and the United States at the age of 84. Myrtle led a very active life. Myrtle loved to travel, crochet, dine out and entertain family and friends. She loved to make people happy, was quite the jokester and had a smile for everyone. She will be greatly missed as a friend, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother and a great grandmother.
Services will be at 3 p.m., Wednesday Aug. 17, with the Rev. Jack Cohen officiating at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour prior to services.
Services will also be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 20, with Rev. James Lewis officiating at the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, 210 King St., North Umberland, Pa., where friends may call one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Northumberland, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Delaware Hospice 600 North DuPont Highway, Suite 107, Georgetown, DE 19947; or to the Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 West Fourth St., Lewes, DE 19958
Send online condolences to condolences@parsellfuneralhomes.com.

Margaret D. Allen,
Rehoboth homemaker
Margaret D. Allen, 94, of Rehoboth Beach and formerly of Chadds Ford, Pa., died Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Green Valley Terrace Nursing Home in Millsboro.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles.
She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Lee Cahill; and three grandchildren, Diamond M. Brockbrader, Kenneth A. Wyatt II and Barbara Lee Wyatt Jr.
Services will be private.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Long Neck.

Lee Calvin Gillespie,
retired from Playtex
Lee Calvin Gillespie, 70, of Milford died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005, in St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington.
Mr. Gillespie was born Nov. 2, 1934, in Milford, son of the late Lee T. and Hazel V. Gillespie.
He served in the Delaware National Guard for 15 years.
Mr. Gillespie worked in the maintenance department at the Playtex plant in Dover for 26 years, retiring in 1999.
He enjoyed going to Dave Wilson’s auction every Saturday as well as attending any heavy equipment sale and auction he could. He loved working with his hands and to tinker in his shop. He was a certified locksmith. His specialty was taking apart any mechanical item he could find and putting back together to make it work.
Mr. Gillespie was an active member of 29 years of the Milford Elks Lodge 2401, where he was privileged to have been named Elk of the Year in 1982 to 1983. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and the Milford Veterans of Foreign Wars Blue Hen Post 6483.
He is survived by a daughter and a son-in-law, Debra J. and Russell Blessing of Milford; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Calvin D. and Carol Gillespie and Ronald W. Gillespie, all of Milford and Mark A. and Lillie Gillespie of Millsboro; two sisters Kathryn M. Hall of Philadelphia, and Gloria M. Workman of Ellendale; seven brothers, Wilson Gillespie of Lincoln, Leroy Gillespie of Milton, Kenith Gillespie of Harrington, Charles Gillespie of Millsboro, and David Gillespie, Donald Gillespie and Phillip Gillespie, all of Milford; eight grandchildren, Brian L. Blessing, Stacy Bailey, Calvin L. Gillespie, Jillian W. Gillespie, Megan Jones-Blessing, Mark Gillespie, Ronnie Gillespie and Michael Gillespie; and three great-grandchildren, Brianna Blessing, Brady Blessing and Amanda Bailey.
Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in Lofland Funeral Home, 102 Lakeview Ave., Milford, where friends may call one hour earlier. Burial will be in Milford Community Cemetery, North Walnut Street, Milford.
Contributions are suggested to the Milford Elks Lodge 2401, P.O. Box 63, Milford, DE 19963.

08/12/05

Vernice Fullard,
Virginia native
Vernice Fullard, 67, of Milton died Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005, in Bayhealth Medical Center-Kent General Hospital, Dover, after a long battle with emphysema and a heart condition.
Ms. Fullard was born March 15, 1938, in Painter, Va., daughter of James Melvin Chandler Sr. and the late Laura Ann Ayres Chandler. She was the oldest of six children.
She worked in the sewing industry for more than 22 years until her retirement. Sewing was a love of her life until her health started to deteriorate.
Ms. Fullard was loved by many and she had a lot of spirit. She was also very straightforward and loved to joke.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a sister, Desso Hugee.
She is survived by her father, James Melvin Chandler Sr. of Painter; two brothers, James Melvin Jr. and Robert Chandler Sr., both of Milton; two sisters, Emma Chandler and Lewanda Chandler, both of Dover; an uncle, Norman Chandler of Philadelphia; two aunts, Carrie Harmon Bailey of Pungoteague, Va., and Margaret Rogers of Nassawadox, Va.; nine nephews, five nieces and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Friends may call from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 12, in the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover, where a memorial service will also be held. Services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 13, in the New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Painter, Va., where friends may also call two hours earlier.
Burial was in Burton Cemetery, Melfa, Va.

Boyd Jay Donophan,
former builder
Boyd Jay “BJay” Donophan, 49, of Milton, passed away at home Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, after a two-year battle with Lou Gherig’s disease.
He worked in construction as a builder and served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years.
He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Claire and Robert Watkins, with whom he lived; his father and stepmother, Charles A. and Paula Donophan of Salisbury, Md.; two brothers, Mark Donophan of Fruitland, Md., and Scot Donophan of Dundalk, Md.; a sister, Laurie Sieglein of Edgewood, Md.; and nieces and nephews.
Burial will be in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery South, Millsboro, at a later date.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, Southern Division, 600 N. Dupont Hwy., Georgetown DE 19947. Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.

Sue C. Andrew,
Harbeson resident
Sue C. Andrew of Harbeson, 44, died Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, at Christiana Care Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington.
Sue was born in Lewes on Feb. 11, 1961, to Franklin J. and Mildred (Cook) Brittingham Sr.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Bonnie Adkins and Jo Lynn Brummell. She is survived by her loving husband Walter L. Andrew; one son, Franklin B. Andrew; her father, Franklin J. Brittingham Sr.; one brother, Franklin J. Brittingham Jr.; and one sister, Rachel Brittingham.
A memorial Mass will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Edmond’s Catholic Church, 409 King Charles St., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Arrangements were made by Melson Funeral Services of Long Neck.

John Alosi Sr.,
retired plant manager
John Alosi Sr., 88, of Lewes, died Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, in Harbor Healthcare & Rehabilita-tion Center, Lewes.
Mr. Alosi was born in Philadelphia, son of the late Gaetano and Gaetana Alosi. He was raised in Philadelphia.
He worked at McCransky Brothers Clothing for nine years before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II.
In the war, Mr. Alosi was part of the 282nd Signal Corps Pigeon Company and was involved in the Battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Normandy Beach. As a first sergeant, he was assigned to a signal unit employing pigeons as message carriers. He supervised the administrative aspects of the unit and had charge of 150 enlisted men. He was awarded five battle stars and many other medals.
After the war, he worked for the Bangor Clothing Co. in Bangor, Pa., from 1947 to 1953, and then joined Phoenix Clothes in Allentown and moved to Coopersburg, Pa. He supervised the pants shop in Allentown. In 1968, Phoenix Clothes purchased Jordan Clothing Co. in Shippens-burg, Pa., and he was named plant manager there. He remained in that position for Phoenix clothes until his retirement in 1982. While in Bangor and Coopers-burg, Mr. Alosi was an active racing pigeon fancier and achieved a lot of success in the Blue Mountain Combine and the Lehigh Valley Sportsmen’s Club.
After moving to Shippensburg, he began raising standardbred trotters and pacers. He turned his hobby into a business and moved to Felton in the mid-1980s. He earned his rookie drivers license at the age of 63 and he competed at many of the major tracks along the East Coast for the next 19 years. He moved to Lewes after he sold his farm in 1998.
Mr. Alosi was a member of St. Bernadette Church of Harrington, a member of the American Legion Post 2 of Dover, American Legion Post 28, the Knights of Colum-bus, the U.S. Trotting Associa-tion, the Delaware Horseman Breeders and Owners Associa-tion, the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association, and the Harrington Senior Center. He also attended St. Jude the Apostle Church in Lewes.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Marino Alosi; and his second wife, Dorothy “Dot” Geedy Miller.
He is survived by his wife, Nan Alosi of Lewes; three sons, John Alosi Jr. of Shippensburg, Pa., Edward J. Alosi of Coopersburg, Pa., and David M. Alosi of Alexandria, Va.; three stepdaughters, Cheryl Miller of Chambersburg, Pa., Patricia Jones of Lewes, and Kathy Appleton of Catonsville, Md.; a stepson, George Miller of Newville, Pa.; a brother, Placido Alosi of Horsham, Pa.; two sisters, Angelina Korpa and Clara Hermanski, both of Philadelphia; five grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; a great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday in the Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Highway, Harrington, where friends may call one hour earlier. Deacon Anthony Bianco will officiate.
Burial will be in the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Bear.
Contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.

Alice M. Justice,
worked at NCR, Perdue
Alice M. Justice, 76, of Ellendale, died from complications of kidney failure Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005 at Genesis Center in Milford.
Alice worked several jobs in the past such as NCR in Millsboro, Perdue in Georgetown and most recently, at Sussex County Landfill in Lincoln before retiring in 1995.
She was an avid Elvis Presley fan and enjoyed anything having to do with him and his music. She was a very loving and caring person and always had time for anyone. She enjoyed sitting on the front porch talking to neighbors, friends and family. She loved animals, especially her dogs, Snowball and Itsi.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Joe, who died in 2001.
She is survived by a brother and his wife, Ernest and Dot Quillen of Ocean View; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jehu and Connie Justice of Dagsboro, Bill Justice and his friend Barbara Baker of Ellendale, Dean and Faye Justice of Bridgeville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce and Lester Beebe of Lincoln, Joanne and Lee Goins of Georgetown and Cheryl and John Vickers of Milton; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12, at the Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, Thatcher Street, Frankford, where friends may call one hour before. Burial will be in Carey’s Cemetery, U.S. 113, Frankford.
Contributions are suggested to any animal society or the local SPCA.
Arrangements by Melson Funeral Services, Frankford.

Samuel Baylis Veazey,
retired welder
Samuel Baylis Veazey, 89, of Lewes, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005 surrounded by his loving family.
Mr. Veazey was born in Wilmington on Sept. 26, 1915 son of the late George W. Veazey and Alberta “Bertie” Veazey.
Sam was employed for many years as a certified welder with Potts Boiler and Welding Inc., New Castle and later with Otis Smith Enterprise of Lewes. He retired in 1989 at the age of 74. But retirement would not define his later years. He and his wife Alberta enjoyed many years of world travel. When not traveling, Sam enjoyed gardening and maintaining his home, spending time with his family, and volunteering time to various causes.  He spent many hours as a volunteer at Beebe Medical Center and was also a member of Bethel United Methodist Church for 44 years.
Sam was preceded in death by his son Samuel E. Veazey; his parents, George and Alberta Veazey; brothers John and George Veazey; his identical twin, Edward Veazey; and his sisters Grace Kearney and Alberta Brown.
He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Alberta (Ellis) Veazey; three sons, James Beckett of San Francisco, Calif., Jack Beckett of Rehoboth Beach and Donald Veazey and his wife Gina of Manassas, Va.; two granddaughters, Michelle Beckett-Danilenko of Millsboro and Sherry Hill and her husband Jerad of Lewes,  great-granddaughter, Blair Ashley Hill, his “Little Biddy” of Lewes; and two sisters, Lillian Sutton and Bessie Garbowski, both of Wilmington,; six nephews and nieces of Wilmington, and two extended family members, Kristen Long of Rehoboth Beach, and Sandy McCoy of Ocean View.
His family, who always came first, will remember Sam as a loving, dedicated, and supportive husband and father. He leaves behind a legacy of love for family and he will remain with us as a source of strength and inspiration.  And, not to forget, Sam was an avid fan of the NY Yankees.
Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 11, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.  A funeral service will follow from 10 to 11 a.m., with Rev. Charles Moyer and Rev. Jack Cohen officiating.  Graveside service and interment will follow at 1 p.m. at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Port Penn Road, Port Penn.
The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to Delaware Hospice of Georgetown for their dedication and support in our decision to keep our husband and father at home after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.  The family requests memorial donations be made to Delaware Hospice, 600 N. DuPont Highway, Suite 107, Georgetown, DE 19947 or to Bethel United Methodist Church, 129 W. 4th Street, Lewes, DE  19958.
 

Bernard J. Taylor II,
Wilmington Trust CEO
Bernard J. Taylor, II, former chairman and chief executive officer of Wilmington Trust, died at home in the care of his loving family on Aug. 6. He succumbed to complications from recurring cancer. He was 79.
Mr. Taylor, affectionately known as Barney by his friends and colleagues, led Wilmington Trust for 13 years, first as president and then as chairman and chief executive. He joined the bank in 1979, the first person ever to be hired for the top post from outside the company. He retired in 1992 but continued to serve on Wilmington Trust’s board of directors until May 1998.
Born in 1925 in Philadelphia, Barney attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania for a year before entering the United States Army. He saw active duty in the Pacific from 1944 to 1946 and graduated from Penn in 1949.
After a brief flirtation with the performing arts, Barney began his banking career in 1951 as a trainee with Philadelphia’s Fidelity Trust Company. He stayed there for almost three decades and advanced to the position of senior executive vice president and chief financial officer of the bank’s parent company, Fidelcor Inc.
Under Barney’s leadership, Wilmington Trust entered the modern era of banking and flourished. He spearheaded a period of record growth during which the bank entered several new businesses, expanded into Florida, built an impressive headquarters on Rodney Square in Wilmington and became Delaware’s dominant commercial banking institution. On his watch the bank enjoyed a string of 45 consecutive quarters of earnings growth.
Barney was very popular among Wilmington Trust employees, who responded resoundingly to his philosophy that talent, given the opportunity, rises to the occasion. He fostered a sense of ownership and growth by introducing stock purchase plans and expanded benefits programs. In his retirement speech, Barney thanked staff members for their diligent work, poignantly describing his most rewarding retirement gift as “an enormous sense of accomplishment that will nourish me for all the rest of my life.” In 2003, when asked to reflect on his remarkable tenure upon the event of Wilmington Trust’s centennial anniversary, Barney confided that watching staff members grow in their careers was the aspect of running the business that he most relished.
Barney was active in Delaware’s business community, serving as a director of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wilmington Development Council, and the Delaware Business Roundtable. In recognition of his many contributions, he was inducted into the Delaware Business Hall of Fame in 1999.
Outside of the boardroom, he pursued his love of the performing arts. He played leading roles as a baritone with The Savoy Company of Philadelphia. A frequent soloist with The Orpheus Club in Philadelphia, he is remembered as one of the finest voices and kindest gentlemen ever to grace the club. He also co-founded The Pennsylvania Opera Theater, where he served as its first chairman and long time board member. Barney’s other interests included SCUBA diving, sailing, fishing, golf, antique car restoration, and motorcycling. In 2000, he wrote “The Other Side of the War,” a humorous yet poignant memoir of his experiences as a teenage GI growing up during World War II.
Barney was loved by all for his wit, wisdom and charm, and he will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Barbara Silverstein, of West Chester, Pa., his three children, Dorothy Tomlinson of Boothwyn, Pa., Lawrence of Elkton, Md., and David of Newtown, Pa., his grandchild, Adam Taylor, and his sister, Elizabeth Broadbent, of Lower Gwynedd, Pa. He was predeceased by his son, Stephen, in 1976.
A celebration of Barney Taylor’s Life will be held at the Wilmington Country Club from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23. All friends and colleagues are invited to join the family in a tribute to this remarkable man. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made in Barney’s name to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403; the Delaware Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1636, Wilmington, DE 19899; or The Savoy Company of Philadelphia, P.O. Box 59150, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9150.