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George Benjamin Sherman Jr., machine foreman

April 2, 2014

George Benjamin Sherman Jr. “Ben,” 91, of Lewes, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 30, 2014, at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. Mr. Sherman was born March 11, 1923, in Palmer, Mass., son of the late George B. and Hester Landen Sherman of Brimfield, Mass.

Ben graduated from Washington and Lee High School in Arlington, Va. An avid sports enthusiast, he was offered a football scholarship at Clemson University. However, the outbreak of World War II quickly changed his college plans. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard, serving on the US Calcatera, DE-390 Edsall Class Destroyer Escort in the Mediterranean from 1943-45.

Following the war, he attended Springfield College in Massachusetts where he graduated summa cum laude in 1952 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education. After a period of being a swimming instructor he took a position as a machine foreman with Titeflex in Springfield and other jobs involving machinery before retiring at age 65. He moved to Florida and enjoyed golfing until his hip began to fail and relocated back to Delaware to be near his daughter.

He was a 32 degree Mason with the Joel Prouty Lodge in Auburn, Mass. and later with Jefferson Lodge 16 in Lewes, and was also in the Order of the Eastern Star, Unity Chapter 15, Lewes. He was a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church of Brimfield. After moving to Delaware he was also very active as a volunteer with the RSVP program.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his brother Milton Sherman in 1995.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Virginia Haas Sherman; daughters Linda S. Moore of Wilmington and her children Brett Henry and wife Wendy, and Joelle Patterson and husband Ken; Judith V. Heritage and husband Charlie of Dover, and Alison Parsell and husband Keith of Lewes; a sister Grace Arbor of Belchertown, MA; and two brothers, John Sherman and Charles (Bud) Sherman, both of Brimfield; grandchildren, Todd Heritage, Amy Heritage, Steve Jones, Amanda Boyer, Christina Lopez, Johnathan Parsell, Andrew Parsell; and great-grandchildren Kelsey, Shelby, Ashlyn, Trace, Tyler, Caden, Connor, Mason and Kaleigh.

A Celebration of Ben’s Life will be held at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, Friday, April 4, beginning at 7:30 p.m., with Masonic services followed by Christian services. Friends may call beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Graveside services with military honors will be at 11 a.m., Saturday April 5, at Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church, PO Box 203, Brimfield, MA 01010-0203, or to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

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