Howard Selby Beach, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and community member, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. Born on Dec. 20, 1929, in Delmar, Del., Howard was the son of the late Joseph I. and Lettie Goslee Beach. He dedicated his life to his family, including pets, his friends, and his country.

Spending most of his life in Delmar, he attended Delmar schools and kept in touch with several special classmates over the years. Howard proudly served his country in the United States Army from May 25, 1954 to 1956 during the Korean War. In his younger years, after working briefly at DuPont and Hastings Heating and Air Conditioning, he began a career as a route driver for NuWay Cleaners, until he was drafted into the Army. After returning home, he continued his work at NuWay before accepting a position at Culver’s Men’s Shop in Delmar. In 1961, he fulfilled a dream of owning his own business by purchasing Delmar Liquors, a venture he operated with dedication until his retirement in 1981. After retirement, he co-managed a used car lot in Salisbury called Prestigious Motors.

Howard was a lifelong resident of Delmar until splitting his time between Fenwick Island, Delaware and Florida. He was a member for over 50 years of the Delmar VFW Post 8276 and the Salisbury Elks. He also joined the American Legion in Dagsboro. A longtime member of St. Stephen’s Church, Howard later joined St. Matthews by the Sea Methodist Church upon moving to Fenwick with his wife, Jean.

A devoted sports fan, Howard supported the Baltimore Orioles, the Baltimore Colts, and later the Ravens. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, cheering on his favorite drivers, Bill Elliott and Kyle Busch. While wintering in Florida, he had a reputation of being a very competitive shuffleboard player. His passion for horses was evident throughout his life, as he owned and trained approximately 20 horses, with Swift Ken and Lightning Sharon being his favorites.

Howard is survived by his loving spouse of 74 years, Jean Smith Beach; his son, Kenny Beach and wife, Jeanne; daughter, Sharon Beach and husband, Daniel Strickler; grandchildren, Christopher Beach and wife, Christine, Shelby Strickler and Skylar Strickler; and great-grandchildren, Brooke, Brielle and Wyatt. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Mildred Wells, as well as nieces and nephews: Joe, Lynn, Peggy Lee, Milton, Clay, Barry, Brent, MaryPat, and Jackie. Howard’s legacy will live on in the many lives he touched over the years.

In addition to his parents and in-laws, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Dora Beach; brothers, Clifford M. Beach, Joseph Douglas Beach, James Donald Beach and Robert “Bobby” Beach; sisters, Peggy Beach Ward and Betty Beach Brickhouse; sisters-in-law, Violet, Phyllis, and Margaret; brothers-in-law, Fred Ward, Bill Wells, Eddie McWilliams, and Clinton Smith; and nephews, Jay Jay Brickhouse and David Meisenheimer.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, Sept. 21 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, followed by a memorial service which begins at 10:30. Following the services there will be a time of food and fellowship for all at Camelot Hall at St. Stephen’s Church in Delmar. Inurnment with military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at the Delaware Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Millsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research https://The Parkinson’s Foundation/?form=19983&tribute=true or Brandywine Valley SPCA-Georgetown https://bvspca.org/donate/honor-a-life .

Howard Beach will be missed, but his spirit and passion for life will live in our memories and continue to inspire all who knew him.