Obituaries

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Jan. 14, 2022) The Blood Bank of Delmarva returns to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street for the 23rd annual Ocean City Blood Drive, Jan. 18-20.

The yearly January blood drive is crucial for the Delaware-based regional blood bank as it works to replenish inventory during the slowest time of the year.

“The Ocean City blood drive is our biggest and best blood drive by far … nothing else comes close,” said BBD spokesman Tony Prado. “We do it in January, in the middle of National Blood Donor Month, (which) is meant to raise awareness in winter when people are hibernating, busy traveling, busy with the holidays. Donating blood is the last thing on their mind. Ocean City has just been a phenomenal place to hold a blood drive in the middle of the winter.”

The timing is especially significant right now because the blood bank is currently far below the inventory numbers it strives to maintain.

At any given time, the blood bank ideally has seven days’ worth of blood in its inventory, Prado said. Right now, the average spanning all blood types is about 3.3 days.

O-positive, the most in-demand, is at 1.8 days; O-negative, or universal donor blood, is at 1.3 days, A-positive, which is very common, is at 3.6 days; and B-negative is at 3.3 days, Prado said.

“Appointments are lower than expected. We need more donors to make appointments as our local patients are depending on us,” BBD Director of Donor Recruitment Marie Forrestal stated in a press release.

Prado added that, fortunately, Ocean City has typically been an ideal partner for the blood bank.

“The good news about this blood drive is Ocean City just tends to be a phenomenal experience for us. We love going there, the town is great and they’re always supporting us,” he added.

Typically, the blood drive has been facilitated over two days but in recent covid-impacted times, organizers decided to spread it out over three days.

As of Tuesday, scores of appointments for all three days were still available.

See OC Page 43

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Add stuffed mushrooms to menu

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Games will be exciting and they are sure to be a few questionable calls, but one thing for sure – stuffed mushrooms with Italian sausage, peppers and cream cheese are sure to score a touchdown with guests and family. Enjoy!

For the Mushrooms

24 baby portabellas kosher salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Using a small spoon or your fingers, remove mushroom stems. 3. Wash the mushrooms thoroughly and dry with paper towels. 4. In a small bowl, combine the mushrooms, salt, pepper, olive oil and lemon juice. 5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place the mushroom caps stemmed side down and bake for 5 minutes. Set aside.

$5.00 $5.00

5

CALL FOR PREORDERS!

$6/LB • HOT & MILD • 4 LB. MINIMUM We are Following CDC Guidelines for Everyone’s Health & Safety. For the Filling

1-pound Italian sweet sausage, cooked and crumbled 1 bunch scallions, green parts, finely sliced ½ cup finely chopped red, yellow and orange peppers 1 rounded teaspoon minced garlic in a jar ¼ cup unseasoned breadcrumbs ½ teaspoon kosher salt few splashes Worcestershire Sauce 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella and provolone cheese 1. Reduce heat to 350 degrees. 2. In a medium sized bowl, combine cream cheese, salt and Worcestershire sauce. 3. Add sausage, scallions, peppers, garlic and breadcrumbs to the cream cheese mixture. 4. Using a small spoon, spoon a generous amount of filling into the cavity of each mushroom. Take a pinch of the shredded cheese and place on top of the mushroom. 5. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, and place stuffed mushrooms on top of parchment paper. Baked for 20 minutes and serve immediately

Secret Ingredient – Adversity. “Today’s tears waters tomorrow’s gardens.” – Matshona Dhliwayo LEE A. ROLFES Ocean City

Lee A. Rolfes, age 65, passed away on, Jan. 5, 2022, at home surrounded by his loving family.

He put up a courageous fight against pancreatic cancer. Lee was born in Washington, D.C., and was the son of the late William W. and Virginia (Potter) Rolfes. Lee Rolfes Lee graduated from High Point High School Class of 1975. Following graduation, he attended carpentry trade school, married his high school sweetheart, Mary Sancomb, and they created a loving family.

He was a larger-than-life character. He had an adventurous spirit that allowed him to travel and to enjoy life to its fullest.

Lee’s greatest title in life was being called “Granddad.” He loved his grandbabies.

His hobbies included home projects, fixing old Boston Whalers, hosting large themed parties, bargain shopping at Ace, CVS and Acme, and repairing broken beach chairs.

Lee enjoyed relaxing on the beach, listening to island music, and spending time with his family. He was a fixture at his grandkids’ games and activities.

He was a retired carpenter of Union 132. Some of his professional accomplishments as a superintendent included working at The National Gallery of Art, George Washington University, Social Security Administration, Folger Shakespeare Library, Maryland Casualty Project, FedEx Field, Nationals Park, and the U.S. Mint.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Ellen Rolfes; one daughter, Jaclyn A. Kline and husband, Vincent, of Centreville, Maryland; two sons, Lee A. Rolfes Jr. and wife, Kasey, of Weddington, North Carolina, and Richard L. Rolfes and wife, Molly, of Annapolis, Maryland; three sisters, Linda Rolfes and Leslie Wendorf, both of Selbyville, Delaware, and Laura Scott of Queenstown, Maryland; one brother, Larry Rolfes of Selbyville, Delaware; five grandchildren, Wyatt Kline, Anna Rolfes, Marylee Kline, Renee Rolfes and Chloe Rolfes.

A visitation will be held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 9903 Coastal Hwy. in Ocean City at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. A Mass of Christian burial will be held noon on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Luke’s with Father Paul Jennings officiating.

A reception will follow the service at The Knights of Columbus, 9901 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ocean City Beach Patrol in memory of Lee A. Rolfes. Make checks payable to OCBP, SRA, 109 Talbot Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21843.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com. Continued on Page 43

Continued from Page 42 ROSEMARY KATHRYN PURCELL Berlin

Rosemary Kathryn Purcell (nee Farren) of Berlin, Maryland, age 93, died Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at The Macky and Pam Stansell House Coastal Hospice in Berlin. Mrs. Purcell was born Jan. 12, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Mr. Harry and Mrs. Kathryn Farren (nee Trainor).

She is survived by two sons, Robert M. Purcell (Paula) of Bishopville, Maryland, and Daniel G. Purcell (Linda) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; nine grandchildren, Lindsay Lee, Kyle Purcell, Kathryn Duke, Julie Moeller, Patricia Purcell, Kelsey Purcell, Kylie Purcell, Danny Purcell and Emily Schappell; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John P. Purcell in 2011; and a son, John P. Purcell Jr. in 1990, as well as her siblings, John Farren, Kathryn Walters and Harry Farren.

Rosemary was a devout Catholic throughout her life, most recently a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Berlin.

She graduated from Atlantic City High School in New Jersey, and went on to business school in Atlantic City as well.

She was a homemaker and raised three sons in the Chester County area of Pennsylvania.

She and her beloved husband, John, retired to the Delaware Beach area and enjoyed being closer to their children and grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11211 Beauchamp Road in Berlin. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Philadelphia at a later date.

The family would like to thank the Stansell House for their tremendous care and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: The Stansell House Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 21802.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com. ANTHONY DAVID SMITH Berlin

Anthony David Smith, age 79, passed away on Jan. 2, 2022, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland. Born in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late William Smith and Henrietta Dols. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, William and Henrietta Smith. Tony is survived by his wife of 37 years, Teresa West, and his four children, Nancy Getman, Brian (Veronica) Smith, Jennifer (Ryan) Ericson and David (Tamara) Smith.

Also, surviving are his brother, Michael (Kathy) Smith, and his sister, Barbara Jefferies.

He leaves behind six grandchildren, Grant, Reese, Kayla, Ashton, Liam and Avery.

He served in the United States Army Reserves while establishing his career in information technology.

He retired at the age of 59 and spent much of his time boating, skiing and pursuing interests in automobiles. A visitation was held Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, followed by a memorial service at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Maryland, with Pastor Dale Brown officiating.

He was laid to rest during a private ceremony at Modest Town Cemetery in Modest Town, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or the charity of your choice.

Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. GARY BOYD WHITTINGTON, SR. Berlin

Gary Boyd Whittington, Sr., age 74, of Berlin died Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at home.

He was born in Ironshire and was the son of the late Roland Jennings

Whittington and Elizabeth (Taylor) Whittington. He was a member of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Ocean City where he was a choir member, vestry member and church leader. He was past president of the Ocean City Lions Club and past president of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by a daughter, Rosemary Purcell Roberta Joyce of Bishopville, and a son, Gary Boyd Whittington Jr. of Arizona; a brother, Jennings Whittington (Susan) of Berlin; a sister-in-law, Dee Whittington of Berlin; four grandchildren, Darik von Rigler, Jillian Joyce, Lucas Whittington and Logan Whittington; two nephews, Michael Whittington and Doug Whittington; and two nieces, Terri Whittington Wattay and Beth Whittington. He was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Whittington. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave. in Ocean City. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Ocean City Lions Club, P.O. Box 71, Ocean City, Maryland 21843. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.

Anthony Smith G. Whittington, Sr.

OC Blood Drive kicks off Tuesday

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“We don’t regret spreading things out three days,” Prado said. “(We can) maintain social distancing with omicron throwing us a curveball. It gives time for our staff to clean, sanitize, et cetera, after every donor.

“And it is safe for people to donate,” Prado continued. “We don’t ask people to make an appointment unless they’re feeling healthy and well. No cold-like symptoms. A fever is a deal-breaker.”

Prado said the blood bank is looking to replicate last year’s success in which it set a record with 685 donors producing 738 units of blood. It easily surpassed record-setting 2020 total by 120 units.

The Blood Bank of Delmarva Ocean City Blood Drive’s hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. There is no age limit. Donors will receive a “Cruising OC for blood” T-shirt. Visit https://www.delmarvablood.org/giveblood/ocean-city-blood-drive for more information.