J. Troy Bakke's Obituary
Jason “Troy” Bakke, age 53, of Lewes, DE passed away on Friday, March 25, 2016 at Beebe Healthcare after a short illness. Troy was born on September 6, 1962 at Beebe Hospital, Lewes, DE, son of the late Earl Finn and Marjorie Howarth Bakke of Lewes, DE.
Troy was employed by the Lewes Board of Public Works as a Power and Water Plant Operator for over 22 years. For many years, while the citizens of Lewes slept, Troy was keeping watch and helping things run smoothly, serving double duty as both the Board of Public Works representative for calls about power and/or water service as well as the Lewes Police Department dispatcher. Troy volunteered at the town’s Fourth of July games, the Christmas Parade and Santa House, as well as many other town events. He also helped his former boss, Gilbert Holt, to save and maintain the old historic Power Plant apparatus and the diesel engines as well as many old town photographs, which they displayed on the Power Plants walls. Many Shields Elementary children would tour their shining antique apparatus and displays.
Troy grew up on Lewes Beach at the family home on Cedar Avenue. He was the youngest of 9 children. Troy spent much of his childhood roaming the beach and knew everyone, as well as every nook and cranny of the area. It was on the beach that he met his future wife, Jane, and her family, when he was about 12 years old. Jane’s parents, Dick and Jane Gott, had switched from camping at Cape Henlopen State Park to renting the Orton Family’s beach cottage for 2 weeks each August. Troy welcomed their children, befriended them, and shared his intimate knowledge of Lewes Beach, its citizens, special places, and varying moods with them.
Jane and Troy were married on January 21, 1992. They had one son, Jason Earl “Jeb” Bakke, the apple of his father’s eye. Troy happily helped raise Jane’s other two children as well, Rebecca and Jacob Melson. Troy became a grandfather 11 years ago with the birth of Rebecca’s first child, Davey. He was a doting “Grumpa” who took great joy in spending time and sharing his knowledge with his five grandchildren, introducing them to many classic movies and TV shows. He was also a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews, telling hilarious jokes and elaborate, witty stories, and always surprising them with unanticipated pranks.
Troy had amazing recall of many facts, especially trivia. No one could beat him at Trivial Pursuit or any similar games requiring extensive knowledge of old and current movies, TV shows, classic rock bands and songs, etc. He was quite literally a walking font of information.
One of Troy’s greatest passions was his love of animals. He was always taking care of the pets on both sides of the family. He would sneak them treats and could often be seen driving around town taking the animals cruising, sometimes one or two at a time, other times his car would be filled with 4 dogs: Shorty, Precious, Skye and Kyle, as well as a cat, Bossy, or two, Kit Kat. He always said he might not make it into Heaven, but he would make it into pet heaven!
Troy was preceded in death by both of his parents as well as all of his brothers, Earl F. Bakke, Jr., Linde D. Bakke, and Jeffrey L. Bakke. He was also predeceased by a dear nephew, Matthew DiNatale.
Troy is survived by his wife, Jane Gott Bakke of Lewes; and his two sons: Jason Earle “Jeb” Bakke of Lewes, and Jacob Karl Melson and his partner Amanda Lee of Hoosick Falls, NY; a daughter, Rebecca Melson Klein and her husband David Klein of Lewes, DE, as well as his beloved grandchildren David, Behren, and Seifer Klein, Vincent Lee, and Oliver Melson; five loving sisters: Terri R. Glesmann of Lewes, DE, Wendy J. Martin of Milton, DE, Milly A. DiNatale, of Milton, DE, Kristen J. McGuire of Lewes, DE, and Samuela J. Wray of Lewes, DE, and their children, 13 beloved nieces and nephews.
Troy is also survived by his sisters-in-law, his brother Linde’s wife Marlena, of Berlin, MD, and his brother Jeff’s wife Karen, of Annapolis, MD.
Troy is also survived by his wife Jane’s siblings: his brother-in-law, Richard J. Gott, of Lewes, his sisters-in-law Elizabeth D. Gott and Therese M. Banz, of Lewes, Mary G. Saltarelli of Granbury, TX, and Madelle G. Tolbert of Frederick, MD, and their children, 3 more cherished nieces and a nephew.
Memorial Services will be held on Monday, April 4, 2016, at 4:00 PM, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958 where friends may visit beginning at 3:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to help defray the funeral and medical costs (in care of Jane G. Bakke, 34160 Sewell Lane, Lewes, DE 19958), or donations in Troy’s name to the ASPCA (https://secure.aspca.org/donate/memorial).
Please sign the guestbook located on this site.
Florist note- Please deliver all flowers to the funeral home by noon on Monday April 4, 2016
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