Walter Kee's Obituary
Walter E. Kee, Sr. age 86, of Lewes, DE, formerly of New Castle, died, Sunday, July 22, his birthday, at his home on Lewes Beach.
Mr. Kee was born on July 22,1921 in New Castle, DE to Mr. & Mrs. Herbert C. Kee. Mr. Kee was also known as "Pick," a nickname obtained as a boy in New Castle.
His wife of fifty-one years, Lillian Curtin Kee, preceded him in death on July 2, 2000. In 1949, Mr. Kee adopted his wife's son, Ronald S. Pancoast, whose father perished in World War II. Ron also preceded Mr. Kee in death in January, 2003.
Mr. Kee is survived by his three children: W. Edwin Kee, Jr. of Lincoln, DE; Susan K. Eisenbrey of Odessa and Dewey Beach, DE; and Deborah K. Maclntire of Lewes, DE. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Karey K. Reed, Jessica Kee, John R. Eisenbrey, III, Lauren Eisenbrey, Ginney Eisenbrey, Lindsay Maclntire, Benjamin Maclntire, Elizabeth Maclntire, and John E. Pancoast.
Mr. Kee graduated from William Penn High School in 1939. Growing up in New Castle, he fell in love with the water and sailing. His father bought him his first boat when he was ten years old, a dinghy for which he lathed out a mast. Mr. Kee's mother sewed together canvas flour sacks into a sail. Soon he was sailing across the Delaware River to New Jersey and down to Pea Patch Island. After high school, he served as a deckhand on H. B. duPont's yacht, 'Noreaster,' sailing to New England, Long Island and Bermuda.
With the outbreak of World War II, he went to the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY, graduating in 1943. As an officer, he sailed in many military convoys, including the largest ever, in March, 1944, in preparation for the Normandy invasion.
After the war, he joined the W. R. Grace Steamship Company, sailing on numerous trips through the Panama Canal to various South American ports. In 1949, he left the sea to marry and began a 29 year career with the DuPont Company as a supervisor and procurement manager for the kitchens of the Hotel DuPont. He never missed a day's work to illness during his career.
Mr. Kee was a devoted husband and father. He always had time for his children and grandchildren. He also taught scores of kids on Lewes Beach how to sail. He and his wife, "Sug," were blessed with a wonderful retirement, enjoying their family and the beaches of Marathon, FL and Lewes for the rest of their lives.
Memorial services will be held on Friday July 27, 2007 at 12:00 noon at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 2nd St., Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
On-line condolences may be sent to: [email protected]
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