Charles Phillip Selway

Charles Phillip Selway, fondly known as Phil, age 88, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Tuesday June 6, 2017 at the Christiana Care Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Wilmington, DE on April 8, 1929, Phil was a son of the late John Leo and Mary Catherine (Vorous) Selway. He graduated from P.S. DuPont High School and immediately moved to his uncle’s farm in Clayton, DE to fulfill his passion. Phil loved farming, and that essence stayed with him through his life pursuits.

Phil met his future wife, Ethel, when they were both 14 years old and were together for 63 loving years. Ethel grew up on a farm in Taylor’s Bridge and they met while he was working nearby. They were inseparable until 2011 when she passed away. He desperately wanted to be back together with her. The couple started their lives together by operating a farm in Clayton before moving north to Newark. Phil left farming because of economics and briefly worked at General Motors before beginning his career with the University of Delaware athletic department as Equipment Manager in the early 1960’s where he stayed and grew until his retirement. Following retirement they built their current home in Middletown.

Phil and Ethel owned several boats over the years, and together they loved getting away on the Chesapeake and its many rivers and coves. He loved to carve, and created many unique pieces. As an avid gardener, Phil was serious about lawn care and was out on his tractor until nearly the end.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Gilbert and Donald. Phil is survived by his sons, Steven and his wife Crystal and Douglas and his wife Carolyn; sisters, Barbara and Martha; brother, William; sister-in-law, Frances Bradley; 5 grandchildren, Nichole, Eric, Sara, Rachael and Logan; 3 step grandchildren, Michael, Lauren and Sean; 8 great grandchildren and twins making their arrival on Tuesday. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and dear friend to many.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, June 12, 2017 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE from 10:00 am until 11:00 am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Old Drawyers Cemetery in Odessa, DE.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Volunteer Hose Company, 27 W. Green Street, Middletown, DE 19709.