Dr. Nadine Harmon Clifton-Fears
BERLIN — Dr. Nadine Clifton-Fears, age 83, passed away on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury.
Dr. Nadine Clifton-Fears
Born in Milton, Del. on Jan. 23, 1932, she was the youngest child of Rouse C. Harmon (1889-1949) and Rose Taylor Harmon Porter (1892-1986). Nadine lived most of her life (from 1941 on) in the Berlin area. She lived in the same home (that her first husband built in 1951) for over 50 years.
She spent her youth living on various farms with her mother and dad. Her early education began in Delaware and culminated with graduation from Buckingham High School in Berlin in June of 1948. Shortly after the death of her father in June of 1949, Nadine married Harry Carlton Clifton (who died in 1986) on Dec. 24, 1949. They had two sons, Jeffery Dean (born in 1954) and Donald Gene (born in 1958). On June 20, 1990, Nadine married Frederick Humphries Fears, Sr. (who died in 2001).
In 1961, Nadine entered Salisbury State Teachers College (now Salisbury University). She graduated with BA degree in 1965 with a double major in geography and history. By 1971, she had earned her Masters of Education (M. Ed) degree. In September of 1965, she began her teaching career at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin. She taught U.S. History, geography and various other Social Studies courses (including Advanced Placement World History for 13 years) during her 30 years at SDHS. She retired in June of 1995 after earning her Ed. D degree in 1992 from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Dr. Clifton-Fears held numerous assignments at SDHS besides just teaching. She was the Social Studies Chairperson for 20 years and Student Council sponsor for 7 years as well as a sponsor for many other clubs. She was also Chairperson of the Steering Committee for the 1985 Middle States Evaluation of SDHS. Over the years she supervised several student teachers too.
Dr. Clifton-Fears had many interests besides her educational pursuits. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, reading (especially biographies and historical novels), computer work, puzzles (especially crossword), walking, scrapbooking, and playing Scrabble. But most of all she loved to travel which greatly benefited her in her teaching profession. She had traveled to all fifty states (most of them several times each). She especially enjoyed her four motor home trips to Alaska in 1978, 1993, 1995, and 1999. She likewise had visited all the provinces of Canada (several many times each) and the Yukon Territory. Her last long motorhome trip was made in 2000 to Newfoundland. Overseas trips were made to Europe (1975), Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii (1984), China (1986), and the Caribbean area (1990).
Organizations that Dr. Clifton-Fears belonged to were the National Geographic Society (member for over 35 years), Geographic Society of SSC (received Geographic Award in 1965), Phi Alpha Theta, SSU Alumni, Worcester County Teachers Association, Maryland State Teachers Association, National Education, University of Maryland Alumni, Delta Kappa Gama, Stevenson Methodist Church, AARP, American Legion Auxiliary #123, and the Happy Timers.
Nadine is survived by her two sons, Jeffery Dean Clifton (Jayme B.) of Newark and Donald Gene Clifton of Berlin. She leaves behind three grandchildren, Christopher Alfred Clifton (Holly R.) of Panama City, Fla., Tracy Marie Davison (Jerry D.) of Berlin, and Emilee Nadine Snader and Richard of Bishopville, and an ex-daughter-in-law, Kimberly Hutson Choi of Berlin. There are four great grandchildren, Amaurie Lee Davison of Berlin, Rayna Nicole and Ross Carlton Clifton of Panama City, Fla., and Clifton Snader of Bishopville. There are numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition she is survived by two step-sons, Frederick H. Fears, Jr. (Scarlett) and Karl Fears (Linda), and two step-daughters, Lynn Fears Hastings MacGruder and Lisa Fears Bryant (John W). There are numerous step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.
Dr. Clifton-fears was preceded in death by both husbands, her parents, step-father (Fletcher Porter) in 1952 and siblings Russell Lee Harmon (1962), Evelyn Harmon Helkey Finsterwald (1974), Lawrence (Bill) Harmon, Sr. (1983), Frank (Jake) Harmon (2006) and Dollie Harmon Clifton (2010). Also one nephew, Lawrence Harmon, Jr., passed away in 2004.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. at the Burbage Funeral home, 108 William St., Berlin, MD 21811. Rev. Henry Zollenhoffer officiated. Friends may call one hour prior to the service and from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday at the Burbage Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Coastal Hospice by the Lake, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md., 21894, or Boggs-Disharoon American Legion Auxiliary Post #123, 10111 Ocean City Blvd. Berlin Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Michael John Murray
OCEAN CITY — Michael John Murray, age 63, died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015 at his home in Ocean City.
Michael J. Murray
Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Joseph Thomas Murray, Sr. Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Joseph Thomas Murray, Sr., and Phyllis Michel Murray. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy M. Murray, and daughter, Katie Murray of Baltimore. He is also survived by a brother, Joseph T. Murray, Jr., and his wife Sheila of Baltimore, and his sisters, Michelle and Patricia. He leaves several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Buddy.
Mr. Murray was a graduate of John Carroll High School and had attended Baltimore Community College. He had been employed as an electrical engineer with BG&E in Baltimore, and later worked for the Town of Ocean City as a conductor on the Boardwalk tram. He had been a choir member and member of St. Michael the Arc Angel. He was also a member of the Chesapeake Commodore Club, Baltimore Yacht Club, was a Past Commodore of the Maryland Cruising Club, member of the Knights of Columbus, Cardinal Gibbons Council, St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Ocean City, and was an avid cyclist, Ravens and Orioles Fan.
A mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015 at noon at St. Luke’s Catholic Church. Rev. John Lunness officiatef. Interment was private for the family. A donation in his memory may be made to St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 14401 Sinepuxent Ave. Ocean City, Md. 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com .
Francisco Remigio Ching
BERLIN — Francisco Remigio Ching “Fran”, age 86, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Francisco Ching
Francisco was born in Quevedo, Ecuador, South America, the son of Segundo and Nalila Ching. He was educated in China but returned to Ecuador as a young man to help work his family’s banana plantation. In 1968, he immigrated to the United States, and in 1970 came to meet his future wife of 40 years working in her restaurant, the Samoa. Under the care of Chef Francisco, the Samoa rose to become one of Ocean City’s premier Chinese restaurants and remained so for 25 years.
Fran is survived by his current wife of three years, Li Ping Jian of Berlin. Also surviving is his former wife, Barbara, two sons, Paul Leung of West Ocean City and Mark Leung and his wife Julie of Princeton, N.J., and one daughter, Kimberly Hafid and her husband Brahim of Orlando Fla. There are eight grandchildren, Katherine and Sophia Leung, Nicholas, Megan and Natalie Leung, Ethan Chin, and Quais and Amirah Hafid.
A funeral service was held Oct. 7 at the Burbage Funeral Home, 108 William St. in Berlin. Interment followed in Sunset Memorial Park in Berlin. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com
Donald S. Brisbane
OCEAN PINES — Donald S. Brisbane, age 80, passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015.
Donald S. Brisbane
Born in York, Pa., he was the son of the late Eugene Charles and Ruth Wolf Brisbane. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maxine Brisbane, and children, Scott Brisbane and his wife Pat of Dillsburg, Pa., Chris Brisbane and his wife Babs of Jim Thorpe, Pa., Craig Brisbane and his wife Karen, and Tom Brisbane and his wife Yesim of Middletown, Del. There are nine grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, with two more on the way. Preceding him in death was his first wife and mother of his children, Donna Welsh Brisbane.
Don had served in the United States Naval Reserves from 1952-1959. He was a graduate of William Penn High School and Penn State University. After obtaining his degree in engineering, he moved to the Philadelphia area to work for Elliott/Carrier designing thermal dynamic steam turbines, electric motors, and large gear reducers. In 1977, he started Brisbane Industrial Drive Company that his sons now operate. Don was very involved in industry associations and became President of the National Power Transmission Representative Association. In addition, he was instrumental in creating several small startup companies as diverse as mortuary products to real estate development. He was also involved with many charitable organizations and served as President of the Rotary Club in Jim Thorpe, Pa. and President of the Ocean Pines Kiwanis Club.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at 1:00 PM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Ocean City. Pastor Harry Biles will officiate. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. A donation in his memory may be made to the Ocean Pines/Ocean City Kwanis Foundation for Youth Scholarships, 23 Ocean Parkway, Berlin, Md. 21811 or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Building Fund, 10301 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Md. 21842. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com