John Edward Biafore
OCEAN CITY — John Edward Biafore, 84, of Ocean City, died at home surrounded by family and friends on June 29.
He was born in Chicago, Ill. on Sept. 14, 1930, the son of Margaret and John Biafore. After the death of his father, he was raised by his mother and his beloved stepfather, Samuel Cox. He is survived by his brother, Harry Cox of Silver Spring. His sister, Marian Joyner, predeceased him.
John served in the US Army and worked in and around bakeries for most of his working life. He retired from Mrs. Smith’s Pies but did not retire from the kitchen. In his retirement, he cooked and baked for his many grandchildren and neighbors, local churches and civic associations. His generous and loving spirit expressed itself in his warm smile and the delicious food that he was willing to prepare for almost any occasion. John was a member of Bayside Chapel United Methodist Church in Selbyville, Del. Prior to joining Bayside Chapel, he was a long-time, active member of Atlantic United Methodist Church in Ocean City.
John is survived by his wife, Virginia, who was the light of his life. He is also survived by his dear children with his first wife, Rosetta Caruso, Josanna Biafore, Melissa Woloshyn (John), Georgina Espejo and John Biafore, Jr. (Suzanne), and beloved grandchildren Jay Toland, Christopher and Ian Woloshyn, Nicole Espejo and Adam and Cameron Biafore. He also was a caring stepfather and grandfather to the children and grandchildren of his wife, Virginia.
A memorial service was at Bayside Chapel on July 2. Donations in memory of John may be made to Bayside Chapel, 38288 London Avenue, #6, Selbyville, Del. 19975.
Bernardus J. De Kort
OCEAN CITY — Bernardus “Ben” J. De Kort, age 73 of Ocean City and formerly of Wheeling, W.Va. passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at his home with his family by his side.
Ben was born on March 19, 1942 in The Hague, The Netherlands son of the late Henricus and Adrianna (Eysermans) de Kort. He graduated from St. Jozef College in Holland with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
After moving to the United States, he worked as the food and beverage manager for the Oglebay Park Resort in Wheeling, W.Va. for 24 years. Ben then moved to Ocean City where he owned the Key Largo Seafood and Steakhouse until its closing. He then worked as an assistant general manager for the Ocean Club until its closing and finally retired from Fresco’s on the Bay.
Ben enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating and playing shuffleboard and billiards. He also loved hanging out with his friends at the Greene Turtle and Bull on the Beach.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cornelia “Corrie” de Kort-Ruis of Tilburg, Netherlands. He is survived by the love of his life of 24 years, Sherry D. Burkey of Ocean City, and her two children, Nanette “Nan” Burkey Shea and her husband Tim of East Greenwich, R.I. and their two children, Patrick and Caroline, and Christy Burkey Gilligan and her husband Tim of Wheeling, W.Va. and their two children, Alyssa and Kayla.
Ben is also survived by two sisters, Henrietta “Jet” de Kort-Jansen of Noordwijk, Netherlands and Johanna “Ans” de Kort-van Deutekom of Palm Desert, Calif. and a niece, Monique van Deutekom-Gibbs of Bermuda Dunes, Calif.
A celebration of Ben’s life will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the Blue Ox Bar & Grill, 12601 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, Md. 21842.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com