Wilmington's Minker passes away

Matthew Minker, president and managing partner of the Wilmington Blue Rocks, died at the age of 60 on Sunday after a five-year battle with cancer.

Minker brought professional baseball back to Wilmington, Del. in 1993 following a 40-year absence. In the ensuing 15 seasons, the Wilmington Blue Rocks amassed eight Northern Division titles and four Carolina League championships under his watch as club president.

He leaves what will surely be a lasting legacy in Minor League baseball.

"Today is a sad day for the Blue Rocks family," said general manager Chris Kemple. "Matt Minker was the face of Blue Rocks baseball. He had a great vision, building the stadium where he did and putting together what has been a successful operation for 15 years."

Minker owned and operated Minker Construction, Inc., the company that built Daniel S. Frawley Stadium on Wilmington's waterfront, and was a member of Minor League Baseball's board of trustees. He played baseball while a student at the University of Delaware and was a teammate of current Blue Rocks' vice president Tom Palmer.

Kemple said plans are in place to keep ownership of the club under the Minker name. "Matt made it clear that the team would be kept with his family," Kemple said. "The managing partners have already assembled roles for the family to manage the team moving forward."

It was a tough loss for Kemple, who had worked under Minker since the club's return to the area 15 years ago.

"He served as a mentor to me for 15 years," Kemple said. "It was a pleasure and a joy to work for him and to know his family. Personally, I feel privileged and honored to have known him and to have worked for him. He will be missed."

Minker is survived by his wife, Carol, his son, Clark, daughter, Michele, grandchildren Allison, Dylan and Amber, and brothers, Jack and Rich.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. ET at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, located at 101 Old Kennett Rd., Wilmington, Del. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation at the Chandler Funeral Home, located at 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, Del. on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Burial will be private.