Hugh B. Horning Sr.

1927 - 2021

Hugh B. Horning, Sr.

Greenville - Hugh B. Horning Sr., age 93, died peacefully on March 5, 2021, at his residence at Country House in Greenville, Del.

Born in Queens, N.Y., on March 8, 1927, Hugh was the son of the late Hugh (Hughie) B. Horning and Lillian Chrastil Horning. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served in World War II as a gunnery officer on the USS Toledo and in the Korean War as a Naval Intelligence Officer. He was a graduate of Bishop Loughlin High School (Brooklyn) and the University of Pennsylvania. His professional career spanned 35 years at the DuPont Company as a marketing communications manager in a wide range of business and corporate assignments.

Hugh was very active in volunteerism for Delaware and Maryland church, community and public safety and professional service organizations at the community, city, county and state levels. Apart from his large family and a wide circle of friends, Hugh's passions were aviation, oil painting and conservation at his "Big Oak" home near Cambridge, Md., on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. At Big Oak he enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and flying in and out of the private air strip next to his home where he also hosted annual "taildraggers" fly-ins for his pilot friends.

As the owner of a 1947 Cessna 120, Hugh served on 14 local and national aviation organizations in a variety of roles. He was a founding member and board member of the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame and the founding co-chair and flight leader of the first Delaware "Flight of Honor" event. He also was a charter member of the Delaware Pilots Association. He was most proud of achieving the FAA's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at age 86 for having achieved 50 years of flying without an accident or serious incident.

Hugh participated in the Delaware and national Senior Olympics in javelin, discus and volleyball, and enjoyed travel in both the U.S. and abroad (34 countries). Testifying to his active life was the collection of certificates, plaques and photos that filled the walls of his residence at Country House -- what he called his "egobilia" display.

Hugh's diverse interests, experiences and zest for life led him to share his philosophy of life and living through many speaking opportunities, publication articles and media appearances, as well as mentoring, well into his 80s. In Hugh's own words: "I have learned that there are 7 vital values in life … they all begin with the letter 'F' as in fantastic. They are: your Faith; your Family; your Friends; your Fatherland; your Fitness (or health); and way down the line, Finances. And don't forget to have Fun while pursuing and experiencing all of the other 'Fs'."

His philosophy of life was to be actively involved in many different things. As he explained: "That's why my email address is YEEPIE which stands for Youthful, Experienced, Enthusiastic Person Involved in Everything (also very humble)."

He always liked to share a favorite Native American saying: "Your life is a gift from the Creator. Your gift back to the Creator is what you do with your life."

Hugh was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marjorie Hogan Horning; daughters Nancy Jane Horning and Jean Elizabeth Horning; and grandson Hugh B. Horning III.

The patriarch of a large family, Hugh will be greatly missed by daughters Kathleen H. Forte (Jim) and Ellen H. Lock (Dave); sons Hugh B. Horning Jr. (Carol), Thomas P. Horning (Debbie) and James J. Horning, Sr. (Mitzie). He also is survived by grandchildren Heather Corts (David), Lynn Carlson (Casey), Thomas Horning Jr. (Sydney), Paul Horning (Missy), Sarah Horning, James J. Horning, Jr. (Mandy), Joshua Horning (Jennifer), Jacob Horning, Anthony Nepi (Kim), Lauren Perrone (John), and Will Lock; and 32 great-grandchildren. Hugh also will be missed by his dearest friend and sweetheart of recent years, Mary Mcgahan.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Country House for their loving support and care for Hugh over the last 10 years and, most recently, the Willowbrooke Court and ACTS hospice teams for their dedicated and sensitive care of Hugh in the last months of his life.

Funeral services and interment will be private.

The family suggests contributions to the charity of your choice in Hugh's memory.

To offer condolences, visit www.dohertyfh.com.