SOUTHWICK – Francis “Slim”Henry Schoenrock, 95, (1921-2017) passed away on January 8, 2017 at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Born in Westfield, MA on November 13, 1921 to the late Frank A. and Florence (Goff) Schoenrock, he was a graduate of Westfield Trade School specializing in auto repair working as an auto mechanic at Haley’s garage. He tried out for the Cardinals baseball team, but his dream of being a ballplayer was interrupted by World War II where he served in the US Army driving a halftrack up Omaha Beach on D-Day, fighting through the hedge rows of Normandy with a 50 caliber loaded on the back of his jeep and driving gasoline to General Patton’s empty stranded tanks in the field as they pushed on toward Paris. He then fought with an infantry division carrying the BAR as the US Army advanced into Germany in house to house street fighting. He will always be our Hero. Upon returning home from the war, he married the girl that he danced with in junior high, at a dance when his grandmother told him he would meet the girl he would marry, his beloved sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Veronica P. (Andrews) Schoenrock. He worked for 38 years for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dept. of Public Works, as a heavy equipment operator and loved his job. He was one of those great guys who clears the snow off the road day and night, often working for 3 days with little rest. His great love in life was his family. He always wanted to be with his family and enjoy his wife and kids. That is what he lived for, that was his passion. He enjoyed all sports, but fishing and baseball were his favorites. He will always be known as the best little league umpire that Southwick ever had. Predeceased by his wife Veronica in August, 2008, his brother, Arthur Schoenrock, and his granddaughter Tina Marie Ekmalian, he leaves his son Frank A.Schoenrock and his wife Karen of East Granby, CT; daughters Barbara Hall and her husband Thomas of Southwick, Regina Ekmalian and her husband Edward of Westfield and Janet Smith and her husband Russell of Huntington; five grandchildren James Hall, Dennis Hall and his wife Elizabeth, Jason Smith and his wife Jennifer, Joshua Ekmalian and Elizabeth Anna Schoenrock and seven great grandchildren. Prior to his time at the Soldiers Home, Francis resided at 7 Evergreen Terrace in Southwick, MA and worshiped at Our Lady of the Lake Church. In witness to his strong devotion to our Blessed Mother, he walked 5 miles to church the night before he went into the army and made her a promise that if she kept him safe during the war the first place he would return, even before going home, would be his church to kneel down and thank her. Gratefully, he was able to fulfill this commitment. He loved and was loved by all that he met. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA from 5-8 PM. Funeral services will be Saturday, January 14, 2017 beginning at 9:45 AM at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick, MA. Burial will be in the spring at New Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more information, please visit www.forastiere.com
