Obituary of Robert Burcaw

Robert Leslie Burcaw III, age 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in New Jersey on November 8, 2022. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 5, 1934 to Robert L. Burcaw Jr. and Verna M. (Hornberger) Burcaw. He was the older brother to sister Verna Johnson who looked up to and adored him. After graduating from Northeast high school he worked as a mate aboard the fishing vessel “Ada May” and drove an oil truck for Atlantic Richfield Refinery. In his early 20s he took a chance and built his first party boat, the “Capt. Bob”, where he later met the love of his life Mary Ann Mayer. The two wed on April 25, 1960 and eventually settled down in Sea Isle City, NJ.

Once a Sea Isle City resident, Bob's love of fishing drove him to various winter jobs in order to finance his summer time passion. Over the years Bob acquired over 15 fishing boats with his first aluminum boat being purchased in 1974. Four years later in 1978, Bob built the fishing vessel “Mary Ann” which is currently run by long time friend and current owner, TimothyGetz. Bob’s drive and hard work can still be seen today by the fleet of commercial fishing vessels that remain in the heart of Historic Fish Alley, a waterfront property that he purchased in1965, where his legacy lives on through his two sons, Robert and Eric as well as his grandsons, Eric Jr. and Kevin.

In their retirement years, Bob and Mary Ann purchased a Florida home where they spent their winter months. Upon Mary Ann’s passing in October 2014, Bob continued his winters in Florida and enjoyed coming back to NJ in the summer months to spend time with his loved ones including weekly dinners with his daughter Lori and her family as well as the daily dock visits where not only could he catch up with his sons and overlook the empire that he built, but also meet up with friends he gained over the years.

Bob was a Father to three: Robert L. Burcaw IV, Lori M. Wilson (Robert) and Eric C. Burcaw, Uncle to two: Susan Labrasca and Jacquie Lucas, Grandfather to six: Robert Wilson Jr. (Carleigh), Kyle Wilson, Eric Burcaw Jr. (Danielle), Rachel Oberdick (James), Heather Hall (Matt) and Kevin Burcaw, Great Grandfather to three: Emma Hall, Bobby Wilson III, and Austin Oberdick.

Visitation will be held On November 14th at Sea Isle City United Methodist Church at 4102 Central Avenue in Sea Isle City, NJ  from 10:00AM until 1:00PM with service to follow. 

Interment will be held on November 15 in Northwood Cemetery at 1501 Haines St Philadelphia, PA 19126 at 11:00AM