Robert (Bob) Allen Horsey passed away on Aug. 12, 2023 at TidalHealth Nanticoke Hospital surrounded by his loving family and friends. A longtime resident of the Sycamore area in Laurel, Bob was born to George and Elizabeth Horsey also of Laurel in 1930 and had one younger brother, David G. Horsey. Both his parents and brother preceded Bob in death. In addition to his parents and brother, Bob was also preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn Horsey, after 65 years of marriage and his son-in-law, Wayne O’Neal.
He is survived by his second wife and wonderful caretaker, Judy Gilbert, who he met at church in Avon Park, Florida; his four daughters, Pamela Lilley (Dave), Linda Shaughnessy (Jim), Brenda Jester (Fred), Joanna O’Neal and a close family friend Jim Bowden (Christine). Bob had 11 grandchildren- Trey Bowden, Meghan Beaulieu, Marci Hollis, Grant Owens, Rachel Kling, Seth Jester, Lindsay Richard, Ashley Owens, Jaclyn Lowe, Skyler Bowden, and Shawn O’Neal and 17 great-grandchildren. As Dad and PopPop, Bob will always be remembered lovingly by his family for his Christian faith, his hard work ethic, and especially for his homemade ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Bob worked into his late 70s, first as a farmer then owning a trucking business Horsey Hay Co. He was a member of the National Guard as a young adult, and a member of the Laurel Church of the Nazarene and most currently Avon Park, Florida Church of the Nazarene. His volunteer work included being a song leader at church, leading a church service at the Genesis Healthcare Center in Seaford, a president of the Laurel Alumni Association, delivering meals on wheels in Florida and helping in the kitchen at the Holiness camp in Avon Park, Florida. He was also known as the “strawberry man” at Avon Park during the spring where he delivered strawberries throughout his community. Bob and Carolyn spent several years traveling in the RV for the grandchildren’s sports and college events as well as a cross country trip when Bob first retired.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 at the Hannigan Short Disharoon Funeral Home, 700 West Street, Laurel. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10-11 a.m. Contributions may be made in Bob’s memory either to the Laurel Church of the Nazarene, 94 Walnut Dr., Laurel, DE 19956 or Avon Park Nazarene Church, 707 West Main Street, P.O. Box 1118, Avon Park, Florida 33826. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan Short Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.