Henry A. Oswald
1939-2019
Former resident of Berkeley Springs W.Va., and Foley Alabama resident Henry {Hank} Anthony Oswald was freed from the limitations of his body caused by brain cancer on February 27, 2019.
Surrounded by loved ones he moved into the invisible realm of Spirit, and returned home to God, to continue his eternal life.
Henry Anthony Oswald was born on August 10, 1939 in The Bronx New York to Amelia and Andrew Oswald. He was the fourth of six children-Bill [deceased] Jean [deceased] Allen [Mona] Anne Lightbody [deceased] and Mary [Phillip Fragale].
In 1960 he married Erna Jackiet [deceased 2004] and is the loving father of Andrew [Alison] Eric, Henry [Kristin] and daughter in law Carrie Anne.
In 2006 he married Anne Murphy and is the loving step father to Maureen [Steve] Wittmer, Colleen [Luke] Sanna, Timothy [Laurie] Murphy and Dan Murphy.
He is the proud grandfather of Amanda [Mike] Lord, Amber [Rob] Loader, Rachel [Matt] Thompson and Erna. He is the loving step grandfather of Mary [Sam] Reddinger, Carrie, Jennie and Ellie Wittmer, Meghan, Tim and Kevin Murphy, Brendan, Gabby and Ceci Sanna. He is the great grandfather of Ethan Lord, Vera Thompson and Lucas Loader. He is the step great grandfather of Sawyer and Fitzgerald Reddinger and Audrey Wittmer.
He is the loving uncle and great uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Hank was a renaissance man. As a young man, he completed an apprenticeship and became a journeyman pipe fitter, working at the Navy Yards in Brooklyn and Lakeland, New Jersey.
Over the years, he worked as a plumber, salesman and a supervisor in Facilities Management. His positions in Facilities Management were at the Research Triangle in Raleigh NC and at Honeywell Corporation in Maryland.
Hank loved to build and create, he crafted a steam powered traction engine from scratch, a project that took over three years to complete. He also built model boats, furniture, and crafted stained glass. He was skillful in carving and created whimsical figures and intricately detailed Celtic Spoons.
He was an outdoorsman and avid fisherman of the Potomac and the Shokan New York Reservoir.
He was a lover of music and taught himself to play the harmonica and recorder.
In recent years, with lessons he learned to play the cello and ukulele.
Hank was active in the Berkeley Springs, W.Va., community. He was Scrooge for A Dickens of a Christmas, served meals at Starting Points, helped plan and performed in the 2018 Afternoon of Vaudeville at the Ice House.
Hank’s wife Anne was the Pastor of two churches in West Virginia-Unity of Shepherdstown [2004-2011] and Unity of Berkeley Springs[2012-2018]
Hank was a supportive, loving helpmate to her in ministry and both congregations loved him and his humor, his smile and the warm hugs of welcome he gave everyone each Sunday.
Hank’s family and friends remember him for his wit, intelligence, honesty and goodness.
Hank’s family are grateful for the excellent loving care he received from Kindred Hospice, his Case Manager Jody RN and Dr Steven Wittmer.
Celebrations of Life will be held in Foley and Berkeley Springs, W.Va., at a later date.
Contributions in his name to -Unity of Gulf Shore 16265 The Loop Gulf Shore, AL 36542 or Starting Points {A Morgan County WV resource center for Morgan County Families} 187 S Green Street, Berkeley Springs WV 25411 – would be greatly appreciated.
paid obituary
