SPONSOR:

Sen. Townsend & Sen. Sokola & Sen. Ennis & Sen. Lockman & Sen. Poore & Sen. Richardson

Sens. Bonini, Brown, Gay, Hansen, Hocker, Lawson, Lopez, Mantzavinos, S. McBride, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Sturgeon, Walsh, Wilson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 23

SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DELAWARE STATE SENATOR ROBERT L. VENABLES, SR.

WHEREAS, Robert L. “Bob” Venables, Sr. was born on January 21, 1933, in Bethel, Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Bob was one of five children of William Ben and Grace Venables, his siblings being sisters Betty and Barbara and brothers Bill and Bruce; and

WHEREAS, he was a graduate of Laurel High School, where he was well known for his athletic abilities in football and baseball; and

WHEREAS, he married the love of his life, Laura Freidel on October 10, 1953, and their life-long love for one another produced six children, fifteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, he and his brother Bill gave back to their community after it was hit hard by Hurricane Hazel in 1954 by rebuilding damaged homes, which led to the founding of W.B. Venables & Sons, Inc., a construction company started by Bob and Bill later joined by their father and younger brother Bruce; and

WHEREAS, the company created many job opportunities for local citizens by constructing numerous commercial and residential projects all over the Delmarva Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, Bob was highly regarded as an illustrious and compassionate member of his community, sacrificing countless hours to serving others less fortunate and helping build a better place to live for the citizens of Laurel; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, he was elected Delaware State Senator, representing the 21st District, and served the state ably and well for 26 years; and

WHEREAS, he passed away peacefully at his home on December 18, 2021, surrounded by his family; and

WHEREAS, Bob is survived by his younger brother, Bruce (Lisa); brother-in-law, George Freidel Junior; children, Lee (Sarah), Beth Messick (Bobby), Blair (Alison), Jeanne Wood (Patrick), Chip (Jodi); and by grandchildren, Drew, Paige, Dustin, Gray, Hannah, Amy and Nathan Venables, Josh and Jared Messick, Ryne (Kayla), Grace, Jim (Elise) and Lara Lee Wood and Travis (Naomi) and Hannah Venables; and by great-grandchildren, Abel, Owen, Job, and Beckhem Wood, and Grayson Venables.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 151st General Assembly of the State of Delaware, that the State of Delaware extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Robert L. Venables, Sr. on his passing.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution honors the life and legacy of former Delaware State Senator Robert L. Venables, Sr.

Author: Senator Townsend