Miles Martin Isaacs, 86

GEORGETOWN - Miles Martin Isaacs passed away Sunday, April 13, 2008, at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown. He was 86.

Mr. Isaacs was the son of the late Miles and Clara (Gordy) Isaacs.

He was born Feb. 4, 1922, in Georgetown and lived most of his life in Georgetown on his parents' farm on U.S. 113.

He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1940.

Mr. Isaacs was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church, where he held several positions including chairman of the board of directors and head of the finance committee.

He was a World War II veteran, and he served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in the military police.

During World War II, Mr. Isaacs was stationed in France, Scotland, England and New York City.

After he was discharged he attended the University of Delaware, graduating in 1949.

He lived in Philadelphia for two years, working for Acme Markets.

Mr. Isaacs began trimming lettuce in the produce department, soon advancing to administrative assistant to the secretary of the company at the main office in Philadelphia.

However, he resigned that position to return to farming in Georgetown, where he was active in several agricultural organizations.

He became interested in politics and had served as chairman of the Sussex County Democrat Exeutive Committee.

Mr. Isaacs also served two terms in the Delaware state House of Representatives, one as Majority Leader.

He was appointed commissioner of agriculture by Gov. Charles L. Terry and later, when the cabinet was formed, became secretary of agriculture under Gov. Sherman W. Tribbitt.

Other activities included membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, past president and life member of the Kiwanis Club, head of Boy Scout Troop 95, and for a short time was a substitute teacher at Georgetown High School.

For 22 years, Mr. Isaacs was committed to and participated in research studies at the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (PADRECC) at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and at the University of Pennsylvania.

In addition, he donated his brain to the University of Pennsylvania for further research on neurologic and movement disorders.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Grace Isaacs Messick; and his brother, Delbert Joseph Isaacs.

Mr. Isaacs is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susanne Phillips Isaacs; six children and their families, Nancy Clara Isaacs and husband Edward Grifford of Newark, Miles Steven Isaacs and wife Paula (Seramone), also of Newark, Grace Kathryn Isaacs of Elkton, Md., William Delbert Isaacs, Lynne Susanne Isaacs Van Pelt and Thomas Martin Isaacs, all of Georgetown; six grandchildren, Barry Isaacs and wife Beth (Cool) of Middletown, Mia Susanne Grifford of Wilmington, Edward Noah and Natalie Clara Grifford of Newark, Robert Martin and Kathryn Rose Van Pelt of Georgetown.

Mr. Isaacs was cremated and a memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Wesley United Methodist Church, Georgetown.

Instead of flowers, contributions in honor of Mr. Isaacs can be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 102 E. Laurel St., Georgetown, DE 19947.

Arrangements handled by Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.