Robert W. "Boaty" Akin

Robert W. 'Boaty' Akin, 85

FREDERICA - Robert W. 'Boaty' Akin of Frederica passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, in Heartland Hospice House, Pike Creek. He was 85.

Born on Aug. 2, 1921, in Virginia, he was the son of the late Joseph and Nettie Akin.

Mr. Akin served his country proudly with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He was a successful man who moved to Ocean City, Md., in the 1940s.

In 1947, he married Evelyn Cropper.

He worked for C&P Telephone and was involved in a host of social organizations including the American Legion Post 166, where he was a commander from 1953 to 1954 and again from 1961 to 1962, Ocean City Fire Department serving as both president and active chief and the Masonic Lodge where he worked his way up to a 32nd degree mason and Rajah Shriner.

In 1961, he moved to Reading, Pa., where he and two of his close friends operated a Metal Engineering Co. In 1966, he met and married his second wife, Dolores Alex.

Mr. Akin had a very close knit relationship with his family members and a multitude of friends. He was a very loving and kind individual. His vivacious personality made him loved by all.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Akin was preceded in death by his twin sister, Dorothy Akin Winter in 1969; his wife, Dolores M. (Alex) Akin on July 6, 2006; and a brother, William Akin.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Jeanette "Jan" Akin Blades and her companion of Frederica; a son, Michael J. Akin and his wife, Sherry of Middletown; a sister, Virginia Watson of Chester, Va.; three grandchildren, Tiffany Nicole Akin, Christopher Akin and Stephanie Paoletti; as well as several nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday from the Daniels and Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, 212 N. Broad St., Middletown, where family and friends may call one hour prior to services.

Interment will be private.

Donations would be appreciated in lieu of flowers to Heartland Hospice Services Inc., The Stockton Building, 261 Chapman Road, Suite 100, Newark, DE 19702; or to Delaware ASPCA, P.O. Box 6067, Stanton, DE 19804-6067.