Preston Burris Jr.

GEORGE PRESTON BURRIS, JR. OBITUARY
G. Preston Burris, Jr., passed away on October 13, 2025, at Westminster Village, Dover, Delaware, after a long illness. He was 93 years old. Pres was born on September 20, 1932, in Clayton, Delaware, to the late G. Preston Burris, Sr. and the late Margaret Hardesty Burris. He is predeceased by his wife of almost 73 years, Francine Ann Burris, an infant son, John Preston Burris, his three sisters, Kitty Wood, Jane Neal and Marie Faulkner, an infant great-granddaughter, Alison Davis, and his son-in-law, Robert M. Kinsey, Sr.
Pres graduated in 1950 from John Bassett Moore High School in Smyrna, Delaware. Following graduation, Pres worked on the family farm, west of Clayton, Delaware. At the age of 35 years old, he decided that he wanted to "go with the horses" and became an owner/trainer/driver of standardbred horses. He raced at Harrington Raceway, Dover Downs, and Brandywine Raceway, as well as tracks in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio.
The highlight of Preston's career was training and driving the world champion pacing filly, Silk Stockings. He drove "Silky" for the win at the inaugural Monticello Raceway-New York City OTB Classic race in Monticello, New York, in July of 1975. The race, referred to as "The Gold Rush", featured the race's purse in gold bars, on display at the track. The $300,000 purse was the largest offered by harness racing, at the time. That day, Pres drove Silk Stockings for the win and a new track record, as well as a world record for 3-year-old fillies on a half-mile track.
Pres enjoyed Sunday family dinners on his horse farm, B Happy Acres, on Brenford Road, Smyrna, Delaware. The grandchildren have fond memories of fun golf cart rides with PopPop, when it was time to feed-up. Pres also enjoyed the annual family "beach week" in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He always requested the 4th of July week so all could enjoy the fireworks on the beach. He and his wife enjoyed traveling the U.S.A. and Europe.
Pres is survived by his three daughters, Patricia Ann Burris, Donna Lynn Cantillon (Jimmy), and Louise Kinsey (Freddie), five grandchildren, Paul Davis (Sara), James Preston Cantillon (Maya), Robert Kinsey, Jr. (Jennie), Jessica Lynn Cantillon, and Preston Kinsey (Jill), one great granddaughter, Scarlett Kinsey, and one great grandson, Greyson Kinsey.
Services will be Tuesday, October 21, at Faries Funeral Home, Smyrna, Delaware. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m., with a service scheduled for 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Odd Fellows Cemetery.