Henry Joerger

September 4, 2010

TRAVERSE CITY — Henry Charles "Hank" Joerger "JR," 88, died Sept. 4, 2010, at the Maple Unit in the Grand Traverse Pavilions, with his loving, devoted and most caring wife, Anita, by his side.Hank was born March 17, 1922, in New York City. He grew up thinking the entire city celebrated his birthday with the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. He was the son of Henry Charles and Elise Joerger.While serving his country during World War II in the Signal Corps, Hank met the love of his life, Anita Cora (Quinton) Joerger, at a Square Dance. He announced (during their first date) that he would marry her. On Nov. 28, 1947, they married (Hank and Anita had the Thanksgiving Day "off"), and have been happily married ever since (almost 63 years).Hank had a very successful career as a sales representative, which moved his family from Cherry Hill, N.J., to Dearborn Heights in 1966. In 1984, Hank retired from Oakite Chemical Products — after winning every sales award the company had to offer. Hank and Anita first retired in Benicia, Calif., because Hank loved the San Francisco Bridge and his city by the bay. When their only grandchild, John Patrick Lynch, was born, Hank and Anita relocated to Traverse City in 1986. There, he enjoyed daily contact with his grandson throughout his life. Hank was Johnny's "after school latch key program," every day until he taught his grandson how to drive.Hank loved bicycling. He rode his bike from New York City to Washington, D.C., to enlist in the Army. He took many, many bicycling trips with the Youth Hostel throughout the entire East Coast. He was a first place repeat winner in the Senior Olympics bicycling races for many years (unless his dear friend, Don Fedrigon, Sr., would beat him). He took his entire family and many friends on numerous bike trips, with Anita always there driving the SAG wagon. He was an avid member of the Cherry Capital Cycling Club.Hank loved music. Each night at dinner, his family would listen to Gershwin, Sinatra, La Traviatta, LaBoheme, Benny Goodman, to name a few, and, of course, Sousa's marching bands.Anita was his "sunshine, his only sunshine, who made him happy when skies were grey." And she always knew how much he loved her. It is a Blue Moon in Anita's heart today.Hank is survived by his beautiful and loving wife, Anita, of Traverse City; daughters, Deborah Lynch (Joseph Fisher), of Elk Rapids, Dyana Goss (Lawrence), of Lakeland, Fla.; grandson, John Patrick Lynch, of Traverse City; and brother, Robert Joerger, of San Francisco, Calif.A Memorial Mass celebrating Hank's life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Traverse City. The family will enjoy the company of friends and family at the church one hour prior to the Mass.Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cherry Capital Cycling Club or the Grand Traverse Pavilions, for the attentive and exemplary care they provided Hank during these last 14 months.Please share thoughts with the family at Hank's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.comThe family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.