Walter E. "Pick" Kee Sr., 86

LEWES - Walter E. "Pick" Kee Sr. of Lewes, formerly of New Castle, died Sunday, July 22, 2007, in his home. He was 86.

Mr. Kee was born July 22, 1921, in New Castle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert C. Kee.

He was a 1939 graduate of William Penn High School.

Growing up in New Castle, he fell in love with the water and sailing. His father bought him his first boat when he was 10, a dinghy for which he lathed out a mast. Mr. Kee"s mother sewed together canvas flour sacks into a sail. Soon he was sailing across the Delaware River to New Jersey and down to Pea Patch Island.

After high school, he served as a deckhand on H.B. duPont"s yacht, Noreaster, sailing to New England, Long Island and Bermuda.

With the outbreak of World War II, he went to the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., graduating in 1943. As an officer, he sailed in many military convoys, including the largest ever, in March 1944, in preparation for the Normandy invasion.

After the war, he joined the W.R. Grace Steamship Co., sailing on numerous trips through the Panama Canal to various South American ports. In 1949, he left the sea to marry and began a 29 year career with the DuPont Co. as a supervisor and procurement manager for the kitchens of the Hotel DuPont. He never missed a day"s work to illness during his career.

Mr. Kee was a devoted husband and father. He always had time for his children and grandchildren. He also taught scores of kids on Lewes Beach how to sail. He and his wife, "Sug," were blessed with a wonderful retirement, enjoying their family and the beaches of Marathon, FL and Lewes for the rest of their lives.

His wife of 51 years, Lillian Curtin Kee, preceded him in death on July 2, 2000. In 1949, Mr. Kee adopted his wife"s son, Ronald S. Pancoast, whose father perished in World War II. Ron also preceded Mr. Kee in death in January 2003.

Mr. Kee is survived by his three children, W. Edwin Kee Jr. of Lincoln, Susan K. Eisenbrey of Odessa and Dewey Beach and Deborah K. Maclntire of Lewes; nine grandchildren, Karey K. Reed, Jessica Kee, John R. Eisenbrey III, Lauren Eisenbrey, Ginney Eisenbrey, Lindsay Maclntire, Benjamin Maclntire, Elizabeth Maclntire and John E. Pancoast.

Memorial services will be noon Friday in St. Peter"s Episcopal Church, Second St., Lewes.

Instead of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Delaware Hospice, 20167 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.