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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Rex Wayne Hailey

Mayor Rex Wayne Hailey, age 70, passed on to a better place on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017 at the Harrison House Nursing and Rehab Center in Snow Hill.
Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Rex and Nancy Adkins Hailey.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Shirley Chenoweth Hailey, a.k.a. “Shirley Toms,” and children, Amanda Pennewell of Berlin and Jeremy Pennewell of Edgewater, New Jersey. He was an adored grandfather to Brooks and Liam McCready.
Preceding him in death were two sisters, Doris Oliver and Lillian McCoy, and his pug, Cheswick. Also surviving are two nieces, Nancy and Susan, and sister-niece Linda, four nephews, four step-children, and their adopted Turkish family.
Rex graduated from Patterson High School, and University of Baltimore. While living in Baltimore he had been the curator of the Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Baltimore. After moving to Ocean City in the early 70’s, he was employed with Irv Banium in the management of his Quality Inn Motel properties on 17th and 33rd streets for many years.
He had been a realtor with O’Conner, Piper, & Flynn, and Long and Foster Realty, and served as a Berlin Town councilman for eight years and then as mayor from 1996-2004. He was a member of St. Paul By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Ocean City where he had served as crucifer, lector and Eucharistic minister, junior and senior warden, twice, and member of the vestry.
Rex loved the ocean, beach, Boardwalk, planting beautiful flowers, reading, music, taking kids on trips and singing off key in the choir. He also had a special place in his heart for his 2002 red Thunderbird. Rex had an infectious smile, a wonderful sense of humor and a great love for people. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Lawrence Kemp, Coastal Hospice care givers Courtney, Amy, Mary Lou and Arnold, the wonderful staff at the Harrison House who took excellent care of for the eight weeks he was there, and Michael, Craig and William who cared for Rex at home. Many thanks to our St. Paul’s family for their prayers, support and thoughtfulness.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Church St. in Berlin. Rev. Matt D’Amerio will officiate. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made to: St. Paul’s-By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave. Ocean City, Maryland, 21842, or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 21804. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.