Port Norris Legends

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Paul Milbourne
b.June 15, 1925 - d.December 26, 2008
83 years old

Life is a journey and at the end of that journey, one of our greatest rewards is to have some of our dreams come true.

Paul A. Milbourne's journey began June 15, 1925, in St. Mary's County, Maryland. He lived there until he came to Port Norris, New Jersey at fourteen and it remained his home until his death on December 26, 2008.

He attended Port Norris Schools but ended his formal education to go to work to help his mother. Even though attending school ended, pursuit of learning continued throughout his life. He was an avid reader and conversationlist, so he continued to learn from books and interactions with people from all walks of life.

For Paul, nothing was more important than family. He married Ethel Harmon, who was his life partner for sixty-five years. His six children were made in his image in that while he provided the necessities of life, the greater gift was teaching us about living according to a code of ethics that will sustain us for a lifetime. He was an honorable man and he showed us we could be honorable people as well. He was the proud grandfather of eleven and the great grandfather of five.

Paul earned his living working in the clam and oyster industry for many years.

After work comes play, and for Paul, baseball was a game he watched and played. We heard he was one of the best shortstops in the area. Listening to him talk, it was apparent that his memories of his exploits on the field continued to bring him joy for the rest of his life. We were a "baseball family" and all his sons grew up loving and playing the game with one of them playing in the Major Leagues for ten years.

He not only passed his knowledge and love of the game to his sons, but to many of the children in the area through managing and coaching little league baseball for many years. His teams won championship trophies, and it was wonderful to be able to teach the skills of being a good ball player, but one can be sure that a healthy dose of life lessons were taught also.

Paul treated others with respect and his expectation was that it be returned in kind. I hope for others, but I know for his children, he modeled how one should carry themselves in a dignified manner.

Throughout my life, I remember him saying if his children did something unacceptable, "You are a Milbourne and we do not behave that way". To paraphrase a famous quote, if you mess up raising your children, what else really matters. We are glad he did not and we are greateful that he was our Dad.

At the end of Paul's journey, it was a life well lived and some of his dreams came true.

 

Obituary

Paul was born on June 15, 1925 and passed away on Friday, December 26, 2008.Paul was a resident of Port Norris, New Jersey at the time of passing.
Paul was married to Ethel.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 12 P.M., preceded by a viewing from 10 A.M. - 12 P.M. at New Hope Baptist Church, 47 Schafer Avenue, Cedarville, New Jersey. Interment is at the Haleyville Cemetery, Haleyville, New Jersey.

 

Loved baseball and we always looked forward to his coming to the field and teaching us the game fundamentals at the South Cumberland Little League field....... Posted by: S Carsten    May 06, 2017