James Henry Gallagher
BERLIN — James (Jim) Henry Gallagher, 69, of Berlin, ended his battle with cancer peacefully with family by his side on Saturday May 21, 2016 at Coastal Hospice by the Lake in Salisbury.
Jim Gallagher
He was born in Pittsburgh and was the oldest son of the late Thomas and Flora Gallagher. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Catherine (Behun), and his two children, daughter Shelley Lynn of Centreville, Md., her husband Bruce and their three children Taylor, Connor and Morgan, and son James Shawn of Ocean Pines, his wife Christina and their three children Samantha, Coilin and Thomas. He leaves a brother, Timothy and his wife Kim of Berlin, a brother, Brian and his wife Judy of Pittsburgh and was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law, Helen Behun of Pittsburgh and many loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.
Jim was an accomplished construction superintendent. He built numerous churches up and down the East Coast as well as single-family homes and condos locally. He served in the army during the Vietnam War before being honorably discharged. Anyone that knew Jim knew that he loved being outdoors, taking care of his yard or tending to his garden. More than anything he loved spending time with his wife and grandchildren who were his whole world.
A memorial service will be held on June 24, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Berlin. Jim’s immediate family would like to thank Coastal Hospice by the Lake for keeping him comfortable during his final days. If family and friends wish to send memorial donations in his memory, the family suggests sending them to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802 (please add “In memory of James Gallagher” in the memo line) or planting a tree/perennial in his memory. If you would like to leave online condolences, please visit http://www.hollowayfh.com/book-of-memories/2517294/Gallagher-James/obituary.php
Janet Anne Holland Cherrix
BERLIN – Janet Anne Holland Cherrix died peacefully in her home on May 24 with her loved ones by her side.
Janet Cherrix
She was born on Dec. 15, 1939, the oldest daughter of Robley Crawford Holland and Mary Belle Hastings Holland of Ocean City. She is survived by her mother, Mary Belle; her husband of 40 years, Hance V. “Chum” Cherrix; her daughter Christina Kelly Schwartz of Washington, DC; her daughter Andrea Lee Kelly of Jericho, Vt.; her grandsons Harrison Rios and Asher Kelly; her step-granddaughter Lydia Schwartz; her sister Sandra Holland Andersen of Berlin; her sister Marlene Holland Mumford of Bishopville; and her nephews Tor Andersen, Jon Andersen and Barry Mariner.
The tapestry of her life was richly enrobed with influences from childhood, as she and her sisters, the “Holland girls”, spent half the year growing up on 10th Street and Baltimore Avenue during the burgeoning days of Ocean City and the other half in St. Petersburg, Fla. Their Florida home lent the influence of their maternal grandmother, Agnes Laws Hastings, who ignited a love for fine art, culture, and travel in Janet. She obtained her BA in English at the University of Maryland, studied pre-columbian art and history at the American University of Mexico City, and went on to obtain her MA in European History from Salisbury University. She taught English at Stephen Decatur High School, was a social worker for Worcester County, and helped run the family businesses, including the Sandpiper Restaurant at 33rd Street and Philadelphia Avenue, the Miami Court Motel at 22nd Street and Philadelphia Avenue, and various Ocean City real estate ventures at her father Robe’s Sandpiper Restaurant Company.
Throughout her life she sought out experiences that were greatly influenced by her love for adventure and learning. As a child she was known to hunt alligators in the Everglades with her childhood friend Willy, and she avidly devoured any story involving shipwrecks, explorers, and the sea. For most of her life she traveled to places that offered a taste of the wild and unspoiled such as the tip of Patagonia and New Zealand, the Galapagos, Machu Picchu, the Amazon, Cuba, national parks and preserves, and multiple trips to countries in Europe and South and Central America. When she wasn’t physically traveling, she was an “armchair” traveler, avidly reading great fiction set in locations far and wide.
Her draw toward places that preserved the beauty of the natural world led her (and Chum) to spend winters in Sanibel Florida, a place that very much spoke to her heart. For all of her zest for travel, she was also deeply devoted to the Eastern Shore and worked to preserve its human, animal, and natural heritage. She served on the Boards of the Worcester County Historical Society and the Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum, and was an active member of the Maryland Coastal Bays, Rackliffe House, Lower Shore Land Trust, and Worcester County Humane Society. She cherished being in the company of her friends, “fellow travelers,” who shared her interests, whether it be preservation work, love of animals, sea creatures, and natural beauty, or talking about the sweep of life’s experiences in her beloved book club.
Held on Wednesday was a memorial service followed immediately by a celebration of Janet’s life, at her residence. Her ashes will be scattered on the Assateague Bay as well as placed with her grandmother Agnes at Sunset Memorial Park in a private ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either of Janet’s favorite causes: the Lower Shore Land Trust for a donation benefitting efforts to preserve and restore habitat for the birds of Worcester County, especially the bobwhite quail, 9931 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin, Md. 21811, or to the Janet Cherrix Butterfly Garden, Worcester County Library Foundation, 307 N. Washington Street, Snow Hill, Md. 21863, to be established at the new Berlin Branch Library in her honor. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Richard L. Martin
OCEAN CITY — On May 26, 2016, Richard L. Martin (Rick), age 63, passed away peacefully at his home in Ocean City.
Richard L. Martin
Born in Chambersburg, Pa., he was the son of the late George (Pete) and June H. Martin. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Seta, and their sons, Doug Martin and Russ Martin and his wife Jamie all of Chambersburg. There are two grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother Michael Martin and his wife Brenda and two nieces of Atlanta, Ga.
Rick graduated from Chambersburg High School in 1971 and worked as a machinist for many years. Later he became a business partner, building specialty stairs in Fairfield, Pa. In 2005, he and his wife moved to Ocean City where he continued working in the home building trades. He was also employed by Safran, Inc. in Salisbury, assembling aircraft parts. After retiring, he worked part-time at Fager’s Island Restaurant and is remembered best as one of the golf cart drivers. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, playing basketball and spending time with friends. He lived life to the fullest and will be missed.
A celebration of his life with family and friends will be announced at a later date. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Charlene M. Kellough
OCEAN CITY — Charlene M. Kellough, age 87, died on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.
Charlene M. Kellough
Born in Mullens, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late John K. and Eliza Bishop Ellison. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert W. Kellough, in 2002. She is survived by her sons, Gary W. Kellough and his wife Sandra of Ocean City, and John Kellough of Berlin. She was an adored grandmother to Steven and Thomas and great-grandchildren Jacob and Garrett and step-grandchildren Thomas, James and Maureen. Also surviving is former daughter-in-law Lynne Hecko, special nephew Ken Ellison and his wife Mei-Lin, and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Preceding her in death were her brothers Alphon, Chester, and Ivan Ellison.
Charlene had worked for Social Security. After retiring, she worked at Happy Harry’s Drug Store in Fenwick Island. A volunteer at Atlantic General Hospital, she also enjoyed sewing and working in her garden. She was preceded in death by her beloved dog Scarlett.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. A donation in her memory may be made to any US Veteran charity. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com