Family and Community Lose a Good Man

Hank at Matthew's H.S. graduation. (Bergeron Image)

A week ago today, Henry (Hank) Schleckser, a long-time resident of Martinsville, New Jersey, passed away unexpectedly at the Somerset Medical Center after a short illness.

Hank enjoyed a long, good and prosperous life blessed with a loving wife, children, siblings and many friends.  Ever active and involved in life and community service, he volunteered not only as a member of the Martinsville Rescue Squad for 28 years, but also with the Surf City Fire Company and EMS for 14 years.

After retirement, Hank declined to become a sit-at-home couch potato.  That would have been totally counter to his nature, and his activities and interests explain why he was ever on the move, and always reading and learning.

Perhaps the best synopsis of his life and contributions and of the fact that he will be deeply missed came from two people who spoke of him at his funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville.

Monsignor Eugene Prus, senior priest, former longtime pastor of that church, and a friend of Hank emphasized two elemental aspects of his passing:  grief and memory.

 

Very gently, very sincerely, and very realistically, Prus underscored the significance of coping with loss through the grieving process, that this is not only therapeutic, but necessary so that a person can work through the absence of a loved one who has been such a significant influence in one’s life.

Another key aspect of Prus’ homily about Hank was the importance of memory– the nature of remembrance.  That consideration struck me as one of the most important ingredients in the march of life and of past events by transmitting tradition and love onto succeeding generations:  the recounting of stories, the happy times as well as the challenges – in this case, the circumstances and events encompassing the life and times of Henry Schleckser.

Hank’s son, Jim, complemented Msgr. Prus at the church service with his own personal recollections about his dad.  He spoke of his father’s thirst for knowledge as exemplified by his three academic degrees, success in his business career, and his love of sailing and travel.  Jim offered proof of Hank’s lifelong learning habit by quoting his dad, “If you can find a book on it, you can fix it.”

In summary, though, trumping all of those characteristics and achievements was Hank’s dedication to his wife Mary Ellen, and to his family.

Requiescat in pacem:  Rest in peace.

Note:  Hank's son, Jim, is married to my daughter Denise.

(Click on the image for an enhanced view.)