Barney Silkworth, 78, of Oceanport died on Friday, March 27, at home after a long illness. He was born in Long Branch and graduated from Long Branch High School in 1949. He served in the US Navy from 1953-54 and graduated from Trenton State College in 1955. Mr. Silkworth worked for the Long Branch Board of Education for just over fifty years, and retired in July of 2005. For 43 years, he taught industrial arts, serving as the department head for industrial and fine arts for several years. At the time of his retirement, Mr. Silkworth oversaw the Board of Education buildings and grounds. He also served as the Building Inspector for the Borough of Oceanport for nearly twenty years. Mr. Silkworth was a talented craftsman and wood carver. His projects ranged from small bird carvings to building and renovating boats and houses. He was a former member of the Shore Shop Teachers' Association, the Building Inspectors' Association, the Long Branch Ice Boat and Yacht Club, and the Oceanport Republican Club. He also served for many years on the Oceanport Planning Board. Mr. Silkworth was predeceased by his parents, Russell and Elsa Kraft Silkworth, and his brother, William D. Silkworth. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara Becker Silkworth; his daughter, Stacy Silkworth, Long Branch; his son, William O. Silkworth, and daughter- in- law, Denise, and grandchildren, Samuel and Henry, all of Oceanport. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Adelaide Silkworth, of Hickory, NC; brother-in-law, Steven Becker, and his wife Maryann of Oceanport. He leaves cousins, several nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Luke's Methodist Church, 535 Broadway, Long Branch, on Saturday, April 4 at 10 a.m. The family will receive visitors after the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider contributions in his name to The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Tower Two Fifth Floor, 120 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-9919, research of Dr. Dale Schaar; or St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 95 Old Short Hills Road, 1st Floor, West Orange, NJ 07052. You may light a candle of remembrance for Mr. Silkworth on the opposite page.