John F. Sobieski, retired postal worker
John F. Sobieski Jr., 86, of Lewes, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend of many,left this world peacefully surrounded by family Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. John was born June 18, 1937, a lifelong resident of Delaware, and a 1955 graduate of Wilmington High School. He worked for the United States Postal Service for 33 years and was a 4th-degree member of Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed fishing, boating, hunting, golfing, gardening, horse racing, fan of the Eagles and Phillies, and spending time with his family vacationing in southern New Jersey and later southern Delaware. John was an avid patriot, a devout Catholic, very social, life of a party, and was known by many.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Ellen B. Sobieski (Burkett); children, Kim Sobieski, Pam Murphy, John F. Sobieski III (Michele), Rob Sobieski (Lisa) and Melissa Thompson (Walter); brother, Ronald; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and his lifelong best friend, Walt Ratasiewicz. He is predeceased by his father, John F. Sobieski Sr.; mother, Blanche E. Sobieski; sister, Bernadette E. Sobieski; and son-in-law, Richard P. Murphy.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m., Friday, Dec. 29, at St. Elizabeth R.C. Church, Cedar and S. Clayton sts., Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, t2t.org, and St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School Fund, 1500 Cedar St., Wilmington, DE 19805, steschools.org/giving/ways-to-give.
