Henry "Hank" Thomas Schaal

Henry “Hank” T. Schaal, age 91, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

He was born in Wilmington, DE, son of the late Joseph and Cora (Ray) Schaal. Hank was a graduate of Brown Vo-Tech High School; served honorably in the US Navy and was a decorated Korean War Veteran. Hank enjoyed a 25-plus year career as an installation technician with the local telephone company (Diamond State, then Bell-Atlantic, now AT&T).

A devout parishioner of St. John the Beloved, Hank was an active contributor to the parish and athletic association, where he spent years coaching and volunteering for parish events, like the annual carnival and any parish renovation. He was a very skilled tradesman and was constantly helping friends and family; he would be the first to offer help from everything from kitchen repairs to home additions to plumbing, heating, and electrical and computer work. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially crabbing, fishing, and spending time by the water. Above all else, though, he cherished the time he spent with his family. If you needed him, you could easily find Hank cheering on his grandchildren at the local swimming pool, baseball & football field, basketball court, or golf course.

Hank is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Rachel (Coyle) Schaal; his children, Michelle Pantano (Paul), Michael (Ann), and Joe; his grandchildren, Margeaux, Tristan, Braeden, and Michael; and several members of his extended family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 2 brothers and his sister.

Family and friends may visit beginning at 10:30am on Monday, June 12, 2023, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30am, both at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. Interment will be held in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org); St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org); or to St. John the Beloved Church (https://sjbde.org/give).

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