10/09/09

~

Robin D. Polite, equipment operator
Robin D. Polite, 49, of Millsboro, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Lewes, son of the late Theodore and Virginia (Martin) Polite. Robin was a heavy equipment operator for George E. Lynch & Co.
He enjoyed boating, fishing, motorcycling and spending time with his family and his sidekick Smokey. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. He attended Midway Assembly of God Church in Lewes.
Robin is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Mary (Baker) Polite; two daughters, Brandy Nicole Zeitler and her husband Branden and their unborn child of Harrington, and Christine Salamatin and her husband Vincent of Millsboro; brothers, Edgar Polite and his fiancé Dawn Capano of Rehoboth Beach, Theodore C. Polite and his wife Theresa of Millsboro, and Thomas Ray Milford and his wife Julia of Westover, Md.; sister, Edith Accuri of New York; three grandchildren, Isiah Reyes, Kadence and Robyn Salamatin. He is also survived by his nieces, Michelle Tisher, Colette Polite, Tanya Polite, Brandy Toomey, Betsy Pusey, Cindy White, Nicole Accuri and Emily; nephews, Kenny White, Georgie Accuri, Eric Polite, T.C. Polite, Rocky Polite, Richard Polite and Bo Polite; great-nieces and great-nephews, Courtney and Justin Tisher. Maggie, Ali and Cassy White, Jimmy and Greg Pusey; and many other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Midway Assembly of God Church, 34677 Old Postal Lane, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Robin’s memory to the Tunnell Cancer Center, 424 Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958.

~

John “Jack” Dorman, woodworkers member
John “Jack” Dorman, 79, of Salisbury, Md., died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake after a courageous battle against metastatic melanoma.
He was born Sept. 5, 1930, in Lewes, to the late Roy and Arzie Dorman.
John was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church where he was an usher at the 5:30 p.m. Mass for many years. He was also on the collection counting team at church. He was a member of the Mason Dixon Woodworkers. He worked for Wharton & Barnard Inc. for 37 years. After he retired he went to work for Pittsville Motors for 16 years. He loved working in his garden and cutting wood.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joan; children, Joanne Lankford and her husband Buzz of Marion, Md., Colleen Powell and her husband Bill of Ocean City, Md., Yvonne Shaffer of Clarion, Pa., and Elizabeth (Beth) Fischbach and her husband Jim of Camden; four grandchildren, William Powell, Christopher Powell, Jennifer Fischbach and Kaitlyn Shaffer; and a brother, James Dorman and his wife Eleanor of Titusville, Fla.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Salisbury where friends may call one hour prior to the mass. Interment will follow in Parsons Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Mason Dixon Woodworkers, 1013 Russell Ave., Salisbury, MD 21801; Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802; or Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary, PO Box 1755, Salisbury, MD 21802.

~

Robert E. DelCollo, company president
Robert E. DelCollo, 77, of Long Neck, formerly of Hockessin, passed away at his home peacefully early Saturday morning Oct. 3, 2009.
Robert was born June 22, 1932, in Wilmington to Daniel and Mary Friel DelCollo. He graduated from Brown Vocational High School as a carpenter and worked for the JA Bader Company on the construction of the Salesianum High School in Wilmington. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 with the Atomic Energy Commission during the Korean Conflict on the island of Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands, in the Pacific. He served as president and CEO of Brandywine Lock & Safe Co. from 1972 to 1986. His service to the Knights of Columbus spans 40 years. He joined the Blessed Sacrament Council in Elsmere in the early 1960s and eventually served the post of Grand Knight for two terms. In 1975, Bob and his family moved to Hockessin, where he was the charter member and Grand Knight of the Coffee Run Council at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church for two terms. In 1980 Bob was elected state deputy.
Bob was predeceased by his son, Robert J. DelCollo; parents, Daniel and Mary DelCollo; sister, Margaret Breslin; brother Donald and his wife Rosemary DelCollo; and his in-laws, Harry and Stella Hazewski Alexander. Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara Alexander DelCollo; his daughter-in-law, Jane DelCollo and grandchildren Andrea, Jonathan and Ellen; his son, John D. DelCollo and wife Catherine; his son, Thomas H. DelCollo and grandchildren Alexandra and TJ; his daughter, Kathleen Moser and husband Robert and grandchildren Courtney, Gabriel and Garrett; his daughter, Kathiann DelCollo and son Jordan; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Assumption RC Church, Hockessin at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9. Interment will be in Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Delaware Kidney Fund, 1100 Lovering Ave., Suite 10B, Wilmington, DE 19806; or Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 31038 Country Garden Blvd. Suite D2, Dagsboro, DE 19939; or the Lazarus Committee c/o St. Mary of the Assumption RC Church, PO Box 156, Hockessin, DE 19707.

~

Anita A. Briggs, catering director
Anita A. Briggs, 45, of Hockessin, passed away suddenly Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.
Anita was born in Pottstown, Pa. She was a graduate of North Reading High School in Massachusetts. She was the director of catering services for the Holiday Inn in Exton, Pa., and later was ASP at Accenture. She enjoyed her trips to Cancun with her family, gardening and her dogs. Anita was a loving, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis P. Briggs; her son, Joseph P. Briggs; her daughter, Meghan A. Briggs; her parents, Donald and Eva Zelenak of Millsboro; her sister, Linda L. Genovese and her husband Anthony of Tewksbury, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Anita at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9, at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will be held privately with the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Anita may be sent to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A St., Wilmington, DE 19801.

~

Helen Goralski, beauty shop owner
Helen B. Newsom Goralski, 88, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009, at Brandywine Assisted Living in Rehoboth Beach.
She was born July 14, 1921, in Chester, Pa., daughter of the late Joseph and Helen Dougherty Newsom.
Mrs. Goralski owned and operated a beauty shop in her residence in Ridley Park, Pa., for many years. She relocated to Delaware 10 years ago. She enjoyed knitting, sewing and square dancing. She was an avid reader as well.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Edward J. Goralski; one daughter, Judy B. Weir of Lewes; two grandchildren, Jessica Weir and Joseph Weir; and a half-sister, Rose DiMao. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Norma.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9, at St. Jude The Apostle Church, Route 1 north of Five Points, Lewes, with the Very Rev. Raymond L. Forester presiding. There will be no calling hours, and entombment at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro, will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 1016 N. Walnut St., Milford, DE 19963.

~

John W. Henderson, Sussex business owner
John Wesley Henderson, 44, a lifelong Delaware resident and owner of Sussex Saw and Tool, sailed peacefully away surrounded by his loving family and friends Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.
John lived life large and loved hunting, camping, fishing and sailing.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday Oct. 9, at the Bethel Methodist Cemetery, Savannah Road, Lewes. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Christian Storehouse Ministry, c/o Steven Smith, PO Box 239, Millsboro DE 19966.

~

Olivia J. Bryan, world traveler
Olivia Judson Bryan, 89, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.
She was born Sept. 28, in Hwai Yuen, China, to Presbyterian missionary parents who themselves had been born in China to their own missionary parents. Olivia lived in China until May 1927, when the family returned to the United States. Her father, a medical doctor who had established and operated a hospital in Lingchow while in China, took up radiology as a specialty. The family ended up in southern California, and at about the same time Olivia was graduating from Santa Monica High School, her father became part of the fledgling radiology department at Long Beach Community Hospital.
Olivia attended the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, where she met fellow student Glenn Bryan as part of a dance event where the girls invited the boys. Following mid-year graduation, the two were married Jan. 3, 1943, in Long Beach, Calif., after which Glenn entered the U.S. Army. As a corporal, Glenn was sent to Germany for ground combat, while Olivia remained in Long Beach working at the newly opened Douglas Aircraft plant there. Glenn was wounded in combat by a German tank shell and sent home to recover in a military hospital in North Carolina, where Olivia joined him.
After Glenn was back on his feet, the two returned to southern California, where Glenn enrolled in graduate studies in psychology at the University of Southern California, and Olivia taught in elementary school. Glenn received his doctorate in 1952, the same year their oldest son, Geoffrey, was born. Two more boys, Bradley (1953) and William (1957) came along shortly thereafter.
In 1960, Glenn took a civilian position with the Psychological Sciences Division of the Office of Naval Research in Washington, D.C., and the family moved east, settling in Bethesda, Md. Over the next two decades, a procession of internationally renowned scientists and researchers who were in town to meet with Glenn professionally came to the house for a home-cooked spaghetti dinner prepared by Olivia.
Glenn retired in 1983, and the two spent the following years traveling around the country in their motor home. Within a few years, they sold their Bethesda house and moved full time to Rehoboth Beach and have remained in the area ever since.
Olivia was active throughout her life in P.E.O. International, an organization dedicated to advancing educational opportunities for women. A very remarkable and loving woman, Olivia will be sorely missed by scores of friends and relatives whose lives were touched by her.
She is survived by her husband, Glenn L. Bryan; three sons, Bradley B. Bryan of Richmond, Va., Geoffrey Bryan of Pacific Palisades, Calif., and William Bryan of Boulder, Colo.; three grandchildren, Kelly, Keith and Alice Bryan; a great-grandson, Simon; and a sister, Jenny Seaman of Fort Bragg, Calif.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, with the Rev. Dr. Frank Deming Jr. officiating. Friends may call at the church beginning at noon. Entombment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church Elevator Fund.

~

Jacob H. Faust, retired engineer
Jacob H. Faust, 78, of Rehoboth Beach, died peacefully at his residence Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009.
Jake was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., son of the late Jacob David and Lydia Schroeder Faust.
Mr. Faust attended Dobbins High School and went on to receive an electrical engineering degree from Drexel University. He worked 34 years in the engineering department of Unisys Corporation in Malvern, Pa., before retiring to Rehoboth Beach in 1992. He was a man with a great sense of humor who enjoyed life and always took on the challenge of repairing anything that was broken. He had an avid love of fishing and boating.
Jake was an active member of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, currently serving as an elder and Eucharistic assistant. He was instrumental in developing the Shepherd’s Program at the church. He found great strength and peace in the Lord and spent many hours studying the Bible and enjoying fellowship with his dear friends at the church.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margaret J. Faust; three daughters, Donna DeRafelo and husband Rich, Linda DeAntonio and husband Louis, and Patricia Fry and husband Keith; one son, David Faust and wife Denise; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and two sisters, Edna Soltanuk and Regina Kershock.
A memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, with Pastor William Schaefer officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Lutheran Church of Our Savior.

~

Walter P. Minkowski, PepsiCo retiree
Walter P. Minkowski, 87, of Stroudsbug, Pa., formerly of Newark, N.J., passed away Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at his grandson’s home in Rehoboth Beach.
Mr. Minkowski was born May 7, 1921, in Kearny, N.J., to the late Paul and Stasia Minkowski. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Jennie Walkiewicz Minkowski in September 1991. He was also predeceased by his three brothers, the late John Minkowski, Chester Minkowski and Joseph Minkowski, all of New Jersey.
Mr. Minkowski worked for PepsiCo until 1975, retiring after many years of service. He then spent his time helping his wife manage her business, Jennie’s Beauty Salon in Irvington, N.J. Mr. Minkowski was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving in the central European and Rhineland campaigns. During the war he served as a master mechanic, an interpreter and a trainer of Army saboteurs. Mr. Minkowski enjoyed card games and tinkering with anything mechanical; he loved most of all spending time with his family, extended family and friends.
Mr. Minkowski is survived by a daughter, Linda Minkowski Escalante of Rehoboth Beach; two grandchildren, granddaughter Jennifer Paulino and husband Mark of Langhorne, Pa., and grandson Peter Escalante of Rehoboth Beach; two special caregivers, Linda’s partner, Susan McMullen, and Peter’s fiancée, Jennifer Antonucci; two beloved great-grandsons, Skyler and Liam Paulino; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Services were held at Bradley, Haeberle & Barth Funeral Home, 1100 Pine Ave., Union, N.J., with interment immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover, N.J.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963 in memory of Walter P. Minkowski.

~

Catherine ‘Kitty’ Lyons, beloved grandmother
Catherine E. “Kitty” Lyons, 67, of Fenwick Island, died peacefully at home Monday, Oct. 5, 2009.
She is loved and survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Wayne A. Lyons.
Kitty was born May 5, 1942, in Millsboro. Following her graduation from Seaford High School, she married Wayne and since devoted her life to her husband, their children and grandchildren. “GrandKit” will be especially missed by each of her beloved grandchildren. A most unassuming and gracious lady, she was a dear friend to many and always thought of others before herself. She was a truly special person whose happiest moments were when she was with family and friends. She will be fondly remembered for her wonderful sense of humor and endless love of fun.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by son David A. Lyons and wife Patricia of Richmond, Va.; daughter Shawn E. Daniel and husband Josh of Gainesville, Va., and daughter Kelly A. Gray and husband Eddie of South Riding, Va.; eight grandchildren, Peyton, Spencer and Dylan Lyons; Jordan, Jake and Alek Daniel, and Collin and Finley Gray; two brothers, J. Alfred “Al” Ellis Jr. and Kenneth L. Ellis; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, J. Alfred Ellis Sr. and Dorothy Lingo Ellis.
A funeral service will be held at Watson’s Funeral Home at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 9. The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. Watson’s Funeral Home is located at 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro. Interment will follow at Millsboro Cemetery.
For those who may wish to make a gift in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kitty’s honor to the Massey Cancer Center, P.O. Box 980037, Richmond, VA 23298-0037. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all the love and support from family and friends through these difficult years.

~

Patricia ‘Pat’ Reed, enjoyed fishing
Patricia “Pat” Reed, 51, of Georgetown, passed away at Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009.
She was a graduate of Sussex Central High School class of 1976. She enjoyed freshwater fishing. Pat was a vibrant and compassionate person who always had a giggle and a laugh. Her parents, Wilmer and Kay Anderson Reed, precede her, along with a brother, Alan Reed in 2008, and sister, Gloria R. Sterling in 2009.
Her fiancé, Vern Bryan of Georgetown; sister, Linda R. Sauers of Georgetown; two nephews, Matthew Sauers of Millsboro and Jeffrey Sauers of Georgetown; and one great-nephew, Timothy Sauers of Georgetown, survive her. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9, at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, where friends may call from 6 to 7 p.m. The Rev. Pall Sherwood will officiate.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the The Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane Suite 603, New York, N.Y, or the American Cancer Society, 1138 Parsons Road, Salisbury, Md.

~

Mary A. King, registered nurse
Mrs. Mary A. King, RN, 67, passed away peacefully at her home in Newark, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, after a valiant 10-year battle with breast cancer. Her beloved husband, Bill, was at her side.
Born Feb. 16, 1942 in Norfolk, Va., Mary was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, Md. From earliest childhood, her gentle, friendly manner won her many lifelong friends; as a young woman, her classic beauty won her much admiration in local pageants.
With Bill and their young family, Mary moved many times over 34 years to many places, including Australia, Jamaica, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Milford, Wilmington, and, finally, Newark.
While living in Pennsylvania, Mary embarked on her second true vocation after motherhood by earning her degree in nursing from Bucks County Community College in 1993. She began her career caring for patients at Quakertown Community Hospital, and, after moving to Delaware, worked for a number of hospice organizations. She was employed as a nurse for her own oncologist, Dr. Siamak Samii, as well. Mary’s caring nature and complete dedication to her patients eased them in their final days and gave tremendous comfort to their families. Her colleagues greatly admired her as well for her matchless professionalism, compassion and sensitivity. With her trademark perseverance, Mary would continue to work in nursing long after her cancer diagnosis, before retiring in 2008.
A gifted artist throughout her life, Mary enjoyed making many types of crafts and painting still life canvases. Her homes were also her canvases and she decorated each of them beautifully with the items she and Bill collected in their travels. Of her collections, including vintage pin cushion dolls, angel figurines and native art, perhaps most famous among family and friends was her “religious wall” which featured antique devotional artwork and unique Catholic memorabilia. She was very passionate about gardening and took great pride in caring for the lovely plants, trees and flowers around her home. In earlier years, she also enjoyed playing golf and sewing.
Above all else, Mary was devoted to her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. For the Christmas season - which she loved - she delighted in preparing special gifts for each one. Despite her illness, she also succeeded in her goal of joining her family in celebrating her oldest grandson’s wedding in June of this year. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Elwood and Ruth Conway Ball; and her sister, Sydney Lynn Ball.
She is survived by her husband, William E. King; her children, Dawn Phillips and husband Dale, of Lincoln; Skip Bray of St. Louis, Mo.; and Ben E. King of Denver, Colo.; and her grandchildren, Adaline, Britain, Julianna, Tara, Mary, Bo, Brock, and Aaron and his wife Sarah.
Mary was so grateful that her biological family found her after 30 years apart. She instantly had an additional four sisters and three brothers: Carla Etters, Maggie Lam, Mary Frank, Marti Johnson, Billy Worrells, John Harrell and Dennis Harrell.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark, where visitation will begin at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Mary to the American Cancer Society, 92 Read’s Way, Ste. 205, New Castle, DE 19720.

~

Kenneth Schweiter, Millsboro resident
Kenneth A. Schweitzer, 46, of Millsboro, died suddenly Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009.
Kenneth was predeceased by his parents Thomas W. and Elaine C. Schweitzer; and a brother, Thomas Schweitzer.
He is survived by his partner Harry Maichle and their daughter Lea; a sister Betsy Neisser of Millsboro; two brothers, David Schweitzer of Florida and Henry Schweitzer of Pennsylvania;.
He is also survived by two nephews, David and Chris Schweitzer.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 12, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes.
All services are private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Kenneth’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 100 West 10th St., Suite1002, Wilmington, DE 19801.
Pauline E. Coulter, retired representative
Pauline E. Coulter, 78, of Millsboro, passed away Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at Christiana Care Health Center in Newark.
Pauline was born in Dagsboro, daughter to the late Calvin and Marjorie Mitchell Ward. She was a retired customer service representative for Sussex Trust Bank in Georgetown.
Pauline is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, Richard Coulter; her brother, Calvin Ward Jr. and his wife Linda and their family of Dagsboro; and a daughter, Connie Wilgus and her husband H.F. and their family of Roxana. A graveside service was held at Millsboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions in Pauline’s memory to Casa San Francisco, P.O. Box 40, Milton DE. 19968.