Jake Marine of Laurel, passed away peacefully in Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, while doing what he loved the most – dirt track racing.
Born in Salisbury, Md. on Aug. 8, 1946, he was the son of the late Floyd Marine and Sadie Cooper Marine Bennett.
Jake attended North Dorchester High School. He married his love, Doris Huffman, and they were married over 50 years. He served more than seven years in the National Guard as a young man. Jake worked for C.C. Oliphant in Laurel during his younger years, then becoming self-employed as a building contractor. Jake was also a poultry farmer and raced standardbred horses for more than 40 years.
Jake’s biggest love in life, other than his family, was dirt track racing. He spent more than 50 years as a track supporter and a car owner to many different drivers over the years. Jake loved to help any driver and their team members so that he could keep the sport of dirt track racing alive.
Jake was a member of the American Legion Post #19 of Laurel for 38 years, and the Delaware Standardbred Owners Association. He had a passion to help many organizations with monetary donations throughout the years.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Marine; son, Wayne Huffman and his wife Michelle; daughters, Donna Marine Moore and her husband Chris, and Tammy Marine Ellingsworth and her husband Mike; grandchildren, Brad Huffman (Casey), Kyle Moore (Amanda), Keleigh Moore Merrill (Drew), Bradley Ellingsworth, Garth Huffman, Austin Townsend, and Conor Ellingsworth; five great-grandchildren; sisters, Joann Perry and Linda Lambrose (Tucker); special aunt, Emma Cooper; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Floyd Bennett and brother, Floyd “Butch” Wendall Marine.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Bethel Worship Center, 26648 Sussex Hwy., Seaford, where a viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pastor Joe LeCates will officiate. Interment will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in Jake’s memory to the American Legion Post #19, 12168 Laurel Rd., Laurel, DE 19956 or Delaware Standardbred Owners Association, 830 Walker Rd., Dover, DE 19904.
Arrangements are in the care of Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.