We Remember Those Who Have Pasted

John Howard Burbage Sr.

BERLIN - John Howard Burbage Sr., 90, died Sunday, April 15, 2007, at his home in Ocean City.

Born in Snow Hill, he was the son of the late John H. Burbage and Minnie Isabelle Burbage Weber.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorris Long Burbage.

He is survived by his children, John H. "Jack" Burbage Jr. and Virginia Pappas of Berlin and Barbara Ann Burbage Ross and her husband, Mel of Berlin. There are four grandchildren, John H. Burbage III, Todd E. Burbage, Heather Reed, and Jennifer Abele; and four great-grandchildren, John H. Burbage IV, Alec Burbage, Hannah Abele and Tyler Abele. Also surviving is a brother, William "Bill" Burbage of Berlin and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Julia B. Cutright and Grace Elaine Gum.

Burbage had been a farmer and had worked as a clothier with Greenberg's Clothing Store in Selbyville. For 36 years he operated and owned the Style Guide clothing store until his retirement in 1993. He was the mayor of Berlin from 1962 to 1988 and served as president of the Lower Shore of Maryland Mayors Association.

He was a 32nd-degree Mason and member of the Evergreen Masonic Lodge 153 AF&AM. He started cable TV in Berlin with his friend Paul Williams. He was an Army veteran and member of Boggs-Disharoon American Legion Post 123 in Berlin, lifetime member of Berlin Lions Club and served for many years on the board of directors for Calvin B. Taylor Bank. He was chairman of the board of directors for the Injured Workers Compensation Board for the state of Maryland.

He was the owner and operator of Ocean Downs Raceway for many years. He served on the Maryland Racing Commission Board, and later served as a lobbyist for the Racing Commission. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Berlin.

A funeral service was held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Berlin.

Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 114 Baptist St., Salisbury, Md. 21801. Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.delmarvaobits.com.