Thomas W. Burn, L.D. Caulk retiree

Thomas W. Burn, 98, of Milford, passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at the Heritage at Milford. Thomas was born Dec. 1, 1914, in Milford, son of the late Wallace and Emma Sipple Burn.

He attended Milford Public Schools and upon completion, served an apprenticeship and became a master machinist.

Mr. Burn was employed by the L.D. Caulk Co in Milford before enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a veteran of WWII, attaining the rank of warrant officer, serving in the North Atlantic as chief engineer on an Air Sea Rescue Craft. Upon his discharge, he returned to the L.D. Caulk Co. In the early 1960s, he went to work for Fish Products Company in Lewes as an engineer on the Fishing Vessel Fenwick Island. During the off season, he taught night school at the Sussex Vocational Technical School in Georgetown. He left the company when the menhaden fishing industry moved south and returned to employment with the L.D. Caulk Co from where he retired in 1976.

Tom was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Milford, and a Master mason and a member of Temple Lodge #9 A.F.&A.M. for more than 70 years. He was a 32nd Degree mason and a member of Lodge Council Chapter Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Wilmington and a Shriner of the NUR Temple in Wilmington.

Mr. Burn was a devoted and loving brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was married to the late Frances Marie Simpson in July 1946. Each summer he cherished his time at his summer cottage at Slaughter Beach. He had a passion for nature and bird watching and enjoyed waterfowl hunting and freshwater fishing, especially fly fishing. While residing at the Heritage at Milford, he crafted miniature bird houses which he gave to the residents and other friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Burn was preceded in death by his wife, Frances M. Burn in 2003; and a sister, Minerva Miller.

He leaves behind a son, Thomas W. Burn Jr. and wife Carol of Rehoboth Beach; a daughter, Ann Burn Rogers and husband Joseph of Milford; a sister, Elizabeth Collins of Indiana; six grandchildren, Thomas W. Burn III, Kristine Burn Dervaes, John Cannon, Justin Cannon, Stephen Cannon and Jessica Rogers; and his great-grandchildren, whom he enjoyed spending time with, Thomas W. Burn IV, Mallory Burn, Kakalina Dervaes, Kairos Dervaes, Trinity Cannon, Hayden Cannon and Eli Cannon.

A Masonic service will be held at 2 p.m., with the funeral service to follow, Friday, Feb. 1, at Rogers Funeral Home, 301 Lakeview Ave., Milford, where friends may call one hour prior.

Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to the Milford Museum, 121 S. Walnut St., Milford, DE 19963.