Merrill Patrick "Pat" Horne, Sr. passed away at his home in Millsboro, Delaware on Sunday, March 23, 2025.  He would have been 82 on March 25, 2025.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents Francis M. Horne and Margaretta A. Smith, sister Frances O'Brien, three brothers Paul Horne, Peter Horne and Theodore Horne and his first wife Audrey Nye Horne.

Pat is survived by his wife Priscilla, children:  Susan Bourgeois (Joe), Lynn Nugent (Danny), Eileen Pullin (Rick), Sharon Rebideau, Merrill P. Horne, Jr (Jeanne), James Horne, stepchildren: Beverly Lomonaco (John), Elizabeth Loizos, Charles Clapper (Jennifer), numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and beloved dog "Angel."

Pat served in the United States Navy.  He began his working career with Texas Oil Company as a Merchant Marine Engineer designate.  He went on to serve on both the USS Franklin and USS Lake Champlain during the Vietnam era.  He rose to the rank of E-4 Boilerman.  Pat traveled the seaways extensively throughout the Middle East and The Mediterranean, from the North Atlantic down to Cuba where he was a participant in the Cuban Naval Blockade of 1962.  Pat was singled out to head a repair group traveling to the Newport Naval Shipyards to purchase and arrange transport of main feed pumps and auxiliary equipment to upgrade ships propulsion capabilities.

After serving in the Navy, Pat worked for the Sunoco Oil Refinery in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania where he worked multiple positions and served the Union in multiple roles for  39 years up until retirement in 1999.

Pat moved to Millsboro, Delaware in 2003.  Shortly after settling in, he joined the Oak Orchard/ Riverdale American Legion Post 28.  He was a member of the Post Honor Guard for many years and served as  2nd Vice and 3rd Vice.

In 2010, Pat founded an American Legion Riders Chapter at Post 28 which he was very proud of and extremely passionate about.  He served as an American Legion Riders Director, Assistant Director and Treasurer.  His volunteerism to Post 28 and the Riders was well known. As a Legion Rider, Pat rode on several Legion Rider Legacy Runs held annually in conjunction with the National American Legion Convention.  He was able to fulfill one of his recent dreams, of involving American Legion Post 159 in Chincoteague, Virginia to involve their American Legion Riders to join in a Delmarva Legacy Run to benefit American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation to be held May 17, 2025.

Pat loved his family, friends and neighbors and enjoyed his backyard bonfires burning "yard sh!t" and telling his unforgettable stories of his many adventures in life.

Service and Interment with Military Honors will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, Delaware.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made in Pat's honor and sent to the Legacy Run Riders, 7518 Taw Street North Chesterfield, VA 23237.

An additional interment service will be held in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at a later date to be announced.