Harold F. Rooksby

Harold "Harry" F. Rooksby, age 94, of Lewes, DE, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, July, 25, 2022.
Harry was born in Newark New Jersey, son of the late Lillian (Post) and Frank Leslie Rooksby. Harry graduated from Irvington high school and honorably served our country in the U.S. Army. After he returned home, he began his career as a technical writer and later a Trade Show Manager for Hercules Chemicals. Harry's family best described him as a patient man who never failed to tell a joke, and was loved by everyone he knew. In his free time, Harry loved to play chess online, bocce ball, mah-jongg, bingo, and spend as much time as possible with his family. In addition to his parents, Harry is predeceased by his wives, Joan Rooksby and Adrienne McDonough; brother, Donald W. Rooksby; and son in law, Joseph E. Backer.
Harry is survived by his daughters, Carol Backer, Joanne (Paul) Rhoades, Nancy (Tony) Eksterowicz, Mary Kay (Tom) Sirparo, Margaret Rooksby, and Leslie (Jesse) Beal; grandchildren, Matthew (Tasha), Christine (Jason), Greg (Lauren), Kevin, Christopher, Nicholas, Patrick, and Katlyn; three great grandchildren with another on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close family friends whom he loved. Harry is also survived by his second family, the McDonough family.
A visitation for Harry will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 from 10:30 A.M. to 12 P.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12 P.M. at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 2503 Centerville Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery.
Our Dad- By Carol Backer
Everyone called him "Harry" and Mom called him Har most of the time. Everyone who met him liked him and he was always ready with a joke. Although one doctor told him that he would never want him to be his boss because he would let you talk until "you hung yourself". With 6 daughters, he didn't get involved with the chaos that was us. He would go to the family room and patiently wait for us to be ready. His discipline for us was never yelling or cursing (we never heard him cuss), it was guilting us into doing the right thing. (It was the worst and we straightened right up). He always supported our Mom so we could not go to him for something if our Mom said NO, because he would always ask "What did your Mom say". He enjoyed playing games with us and would sneakily take a puzzle piece so he could put the last piece in. He loved playing chess and was willing to teach anyone who was interested in playing. He introduced us to "Star Trek" and the comedy shows of the 60's. We had to watch the New York Rangers hockey team for two reasons. It was his favorite team and we only had one TV. He was a fan for 42 years and was overjoyed when they finally won the Stanley Cup.
He grew up a city boy and never thought he'd be so enthralled with nature. He became an avid bird watcher, a hobby he shared with his son-in-law Tony. When he bought a condo with our Mom in Marco Island. FL he led people on beach walks identifying shells and beach plants. He did some fishing but he was not very good at it. He never caught any fish. One time he took us on a fishing boat and WE caught some fish. He had nothing to put the fish in except a black plastic bag. By the time we got the fish home they were cooked. He was a great swimmer and loved the ocean so much so, that he was thrilled that he was able to get beyond the breakers when he was 88yrs. and then again when he was 90yrs.
In his early 70's he met his second wife, Adrienne and married her 5 months later. He said there was no reason to wait at this age. He instantly took to her family and they to him.
He always supported us in our life decisions and encouraged us to follow our dreams. He loved our husbands and loved his grandchildren very much. He was thrilled when the great grandchildren came. When I told him I joined the Peace Corps and was going to Africa he supported me 100 percent. (actually, he was thrilled). He never once talked me out of going. We could continue telling many stories about our Dad but just know he was a kind, positive, forward looking. loving father who will always live in our hearts and we will do our best to emulate him.
If you would like to order flowers, the family suggests ordering from The Flower Place in New Castle, 302-328-0442 (theflowerplaceofnewcastle.org).
To send flowers to the family of Harold, please visit our floral store.
Harold "Harry" F. Rooksby, age 94, of Lewes, DE, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, July, 25, 2022.
Harry was born in Newark New Jersey, son of the late Lillian (Post) and Frank Leslie Rooksby. Harry graduated from Irvington high school and honorably served our country in the U.S. Army. After he returned home, he began his career as a technical writer and later a Trade Show Manager for Hercules Chemicals. Harry's family best described him as a patient man who never failed to tell a joke, and was loved by everyone he knew. In his free time, Harry loved to play chess online, bocce ball, mah-jongg, bingo, and spend as much time as possible with his family. In addition to his parents, Harry is predeceased by his wives, Joan Rooksby and Adrienne McDonough; brother, Donald W. Rooksby; and son in law, Joseph E. Backer.
Harry is survived by his daughters, Carol Backer, Joanne (Paul) Rhoades, Nancy (Tony) Eksterowicz, Mary Kay (Tom) Sirparo, Margaret Rooksby, and Leslie (Jesse) Beal; grandchildren, Matthew (Tasha), Christine (Jason), Greg (Lauren), Kevin, Christopher, Nicholas, Patrick, and Katlyn; three great grandchildren with another on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close family friends whom he loved. Harry is also survived by his second family, the McDonough family.
A visitation for Harry will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 from 10:30 A.M. to 12 P.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 12 P.M. at St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 2503 Centerville Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery.
Our Dad- By Carol Backer
Everyone called him "Harry" and Mom called him Har most of the time. Everyone who met him liked him and he was always ready with a joke. Although one doctor told him that he would never want him to be his boss because he would let you talk until "you hung yourself". With 6 daughters, he didn't get involved with the chaos that was us. He would go to the family room and patiently wait for us to be ready. His discipline for us was never yelling or cursing (we never heard him cuss), it was guilting us into doing the right thing. (It was the worst and we straightened right up). He always supported our Mom so we could not go to him for something if our Mom said NO, because he would always ask "What did your Mom say". He enjoyed playing games with us and would sneakily take a puzzle piece so he could put the last piece in. He loved playing chess and was willing to teach anyone who was interested in playing. He introduced us to "Star Trek" and the comedy shows of the 60's. We had to watch the New York Rangers hockey team for two reasons. It was his favorite team and we only had one TV. He was a fan for 42 years and was overjoyed when they finally won the Stanley Cup.
He grew up a city boy and never thought he'd be so enthralled with nature. He became an avid bird watcher, a hobby he shared with his son-in-law Tony. When he bought a condo with our Mom in Marco Island. FL he led people on beach walks identifying shells and beach plants. He did some fishing but he was not very good at it. He never caught any fish. One time he took us on a fishing boat and WE caught some fish. He had nothing to put the fish in except a black plastic bag. By the time we got the fish home they were cooked. He was a great swimmer and loved the ocean so much so, that he was thrilled that he was able to get beyond the breakers when he was 88yrs. and then again when he was 90yrs.
In his early 70's he met his second wife, Adrienne and married her 5 months later. He said there was no reason to wait at this age. He instantly took to her family and they to him.
He always supported us in our life decisions and encouraged us to follow our dreams. He loved our husbands and loved his grandchildren very much. He was thrilled when the great grandchildren came. When I told him I joined the Peace Corps and was going to Africa he supported me 100 percent. (actually, he was thrilled). He never once talked me out of going. We could continue telling many stories about our Dad but just know he was a kind, positive, forward looking. loving father who will always live in our hearts and we will do our best to emulate him.
If you would like to order flowers, the family suggests ordering from The Flower Place in New Castle, 302-328-0442 (theflowerplaceofnewcastle.org).