Jan. 10, 2006--Robert J. Burleigh Sr., 79, of Wilmington, died Oct. 7 in Gilpin Hall.

The son of the late George Burleigh and Jane O'Toole, Mr. Burleigh retired in 1989 after 23 years service with the engineering and construction department at the University of Delaware. A member of the Blue Hen Touchdown Club, he was a loyal UD football fan for more than 60 years.

Mr. Burleigh served in the army during World War II in Italy. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Church, a member and past president of the Defiance Athletic Association and a member of the American Arbitration Association.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Loretta Britton; his sons, Robert J. Burleigh Jr. of Towson, Md., and John A. Burleigh and his wife, Tracy, of Wilmington; his daughter, Julianne Mclndoe, and her husband, Brian, of Newark; grandchildren, Vivien and Jimmy Mclndoe; his brother, George Burleigh of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and his sister Kathleen Linberg of Wilmington.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Oct. 13 at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington. Contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Church, 809 S. Broom St., Wilmington, DE 19805.