We Remember Those We Have Lost

We Remember Those We Have Lost
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Jim Weldon Whittemore Jr

OCEAN CITY – Jim Whittemore, affectionately referred to as Captain Jim, died Thursday, July 16, 2009 at PRMC in Salisbury after a valiant struggle with diabetes and heart disease.

He was born in Washington, DC, to the late Jim Weldon Whittemore and Ruth Whitlock Whittemore.

Jim (and his voice) were well known on the Lower Shore as he was the announcer for the Shorebirds, Ocean Downs Racetrack and Salisbury University Football, as well as previously working as a local radio personality. He gladly gave of his time to many community organizations and he was the current president of the Salisbury Optimist Club; past president of the OC/Berlin Optimist; past Optimist Club Lt Governor of the Eastern Shore; past president of OC Chamber of Commerce; founder of the OC Christmas Parade; past president of the OC Paramedics Board; and past member of OC Parks and Rec Advisory Board to name a few.

He will be missed dearly by his wife, Ellen Whittemore; a daughter, Lauren Whittemore Bunting; three sons, Tim Whittemore, Scott Whittemore, and Jon Whittemore; and five grandchildren, Ryan Whittemore, Gavin and Collin Bunting and Thomas and William Guildner.

All family and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service to be held at Shorebirds Perdue Stadium on Monday, July 27 at 4 pm. A special thanks to the Shorebirds for their generosity.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Salisbury Optimist Club Scholarship Fund, in which a scholarship will be given in Jim’s honor for 2010. Checks can be sent to: Salisbury Optimist, PO Box 744, Salisbury, Md. 21803.

Robert J. Geczi

OCEAN PINES – Robert J. Geczi, originally from New Jersey and Ocean Pines, passed away comfortably surrounded by his family on July 18, 2009.

He was the devoted husband and best friends of Arlene, who preceded him in death. Their family takes comfort in knowing they are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary together.

He was the proud father of Cheryl Slocum and Beverly Williamson. He always said he was so blessed to have his two girls and didn’t know what he

would do without them. His love extended to their husbands, Stephen Solcum and Steve Williamson, who Bob always felt were like his own two own sons. He was the devoted pop pop to Elizabeth and Melissa Solcum and Timothy and Ellen Williamson, never missing any of their many activities.

He was an avid sports fan and friend to all. He was admired by many for enjoying the simple things in life and always being a gentleman. He proudly served in the Korean conflict and continued to be a true patriot. He enjoyed many years with Acme Markets and Edison Board of Education. Upon retirement, he was active with the Kwanis Club, AARP, St. Margaret Mary Sr. Group and bible study.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Rose Geczi, and is survived by his loving brother, Donald Geczi and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2009 from 4-6 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, July 27 at 10 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., 5th Floor, Norwalk, Conn. 06851.

David Lyle Brittingham

SALISBURY – David Lyle Brittingham, 63, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with diabetes and heart disease.

Born Oct. 5, 1945, he was the son of the late John W. Brittingham, Sr., and Grace Cropper Brittingham.

After graduating from Stephen Decatur High School, he served in the US Coast Guard aboard the USCGC Absecon. Later in life, he was a chef at the Captain’s Galley and Crab Alley Restaurants. Before he became ill, he was the dock master at the Marsh Harbor Marina in West Ocean City. He had a dry wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He was an avid reader and enjoyed sport fishing, hunting, carving decoys and creating beautiful lotus ponds.

He is survived by a brother, Paul C. Brittingham of Salisbury; two sisters, Betty Lou Brittingham of Salisbury who was his faithful care giver and Suzanne Hurley of Ocean City; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John William Brittingham, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, PO Box 603, Ocean City, Md. 21843. Arrangements by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Phyllis Lee Vallario

OCEAN CITY – Phyllis Lee Vallario died Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at Coastal Hospice in Salisbury.

She was born Feb. 18, 1942 in Washington DC to the late Vernon Unger and Margaret Krause Unger.

She retired from the FAA in 1994 after 33 years of service. She enjoyed traveling, line dancing and hand dancing, boating, cooking, picture framing and putzing around in the garden.

She is survived by her significant other, John (Will) Wood; son, Larry Vallario and wife Tamara; sister, Pat Unger Zappala and husband Marco; and beloved pets, Sweet Pea, Tiffany, Bailey and Missy. 

Inurnment will be held privately by her family.

Arrangements by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Costal Hospice at the Lake, P. O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802.

Geneva Maxine Matthews

BERLIN – Geneva Maxine Matthews, age 84, died Friday, June 12, 2009 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Nitro, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late John W. Tester and Ida Mae Davis Tester.

She is survived by her beloved husband Stephen E. Matthews, Sr.; one son, Stephen E. Matthews, Jr. and his wife Darlene of Frederick; one daughter, Patricia Gentry of Preston; three grandchildren, Josie Tucker, Stephanie Matthews and Matthew Gentry; and one great grandchild, Daniel J. Tucker. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Matthews, and her siblings, Ancel Tester, John Tester, Agnes Kelly and Rida Stole.

Services and interment are private. Arrangements by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Donations may be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society, c/o Gerri Harrison, 337 Winter Quarters Drive,

Pocomoke City, Md. 21851.

Louis Craig Suttka Jr.

OCEAN CITY – Craig Suttka Jr., 40, died Tuesday July 14.

Born in Baltimore, raised in Ocean City, he was the son of Craig Sr. and Carol Suttka.

He was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School. He proudly served as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps for Four years. He was a DRE for Maryland State Police and a DARE instructor at Stephen Decatur Middle. Craig retired Trooper First Class from the Maryland State Police.

He is survived by his beautiful daughter Claire Ann Suttka; Jen Suttka; his parents Craig Sr. and Carol Suttka; his sister, Deb Priestley and her husband Jerry; his special nieces Kristie and Katie Priestly; his loving Gramma; loving best bud Thumper; and his extended Maryland State Police family. He was preceded in death by his baby brother Craig Suttka, his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Berger, and his nanny Harriett Owens.

Services were held at Atlantic United Methodist Church in Ocean City. Burial will follow services at Sunset Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers a trust fund in the name of Claire Ann Suttka has been set up at Bank of Ocean City in his memory.

Arrangements are being handled by Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Steven Aaron Russell

TEMPERANCEVILLE, Va. – Steven Aaron Russell, age 56, died on Sunday, July 19, 2009 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Born in Lewes, Del., he was the son of

Doris Powell Russell of Berlin and the late Joseph W. Russell. He is survived by his wife, Barbara "Bobbi" Russell.

Russell was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School. He was self employed and had worked in construction and renovations, both residential and commercial. He was a member of the Lower Eastern Shore Moose Lodge, Accomack Elks Lodge, and was a 20-year member of the Eagle Ridge Band and the Country High Band and a long standing member of AMSA.

Along with his wife and mother, he is survived by five daughters, Tammy Boston and her husband Rodney of Berlin, Barbara Lee Rago-Rios and her husband Joseph of California, Kristeen Tracey of California, Tracie Murphy of Crewe, Va. and Payton Olugbala of Las Vegas; one sister, Judith Baker of Berlin; nephew, T.C. of Pittsville; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 1 p.m. at the West Dover Moose Lodge on Lankford Hwy. Arrangements by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Edward Leo Wisniewski

BERLIN – Edward Leo Wisniewski, age 89, died on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at his home in Berlin.

Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Thief and Julia Rutkoustra Wisniewski.

Wisniewski entered the US Navy in July, 1938 and served until his discharge in 1945. While in the Navy, he served in the Naval Combat Demolition team, which is the predecessor to the modern day Navy SEALs.

Wisniewski was Past President of the Long Shoreman Local #829, owner of Sherry’s Inn in Locus Point, Md., and owner of Golden Gate Condo Building #3 in Ocean City.

He is survived by his wife, Alice L. Wisniewski; a daughter, Sharon L. Taylor; a brother, Leo Wisniewski; and his loving dogs especially, Ticket, Chance, the new CHP Maggie Lee.

Interment will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.