Edward Owen Hobday

Born: 10/11/1923 Died: 2/7/2012 Mr. Edward Owen Hobday, age 88, of Millcroft in Newark, DE, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Hobday was born in Taunton, MA, on October 11, 1923, son of the late Edward Owen Hobday, Sr. and Mary Rathbun Hobday. He began his military career as a US Army Air Corps pilot in World War II and later served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. In civilian life, he made his professional career in the aviation industry, working in sales with Atlantic Aviation for several years. He later accepted a sales position with British Aerospace, Inc., where he retired in 1991. Mr. Hobday remained active in veterans organizations throughout his life, including the World War II 312th Bomber Group Association, the Korean War 13th Bomber Group Association, and the National Air Force Association. He was also a longtime member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). He married his dear wife, Eloise Batts Hobday, in 1950, and lived in East Grand Rapids, MI before moving with his family to Newark, DE in 1968. His interests included photography, woodworking, building and operating radio-controlled models, travel, boating and fishing, and spending time with his large and ever-growing family. Eloise passed away on January 25, 2012. He was also preceded in death by siblings, Virginia Rodier, Thelma Marsden, Nellie Stafford, and Herbert Hobday. He is survived by his children, Gary Hobday (Carol) of Landisville, PA, Susan Jenkins (Richard) of Newark, DE, David Hobday (Gwen Sherman) of Bridgeville, DE, Philip Hobday (Liz) of Peoria, AZ, Barbara Owens (Ted) of Austin, TX, and Amy Lesko (John) of Newark, DE; brother, Arthur Hobday (Madeline) of Taunton, MA; sister, Priscilla Hobday of Taunton, MA; sister-in-law, Jackie Hobday of Taunton, MA; ten grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the staff at Millcroft for their outstanding care of Mr. Hobday during his residence. A memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where visitation will begin at 12 noon. Interment will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Hobday may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (woundedwarriorproject.org / 877-832-6997).