John F. Schwanhausser

John (Jack) Frederick Schwanhausser passed from this life on August 30, 2019. His last six months living in Norwalk, Connecticut, close to his son Roger, were peaceful and comfortable, and he was active and engaged until his final week. His family is so grateful for his life and everything he has meant to both his family and to his many friends and associations over the course of his 95 years.

Upon his passing, Jack simply wanted to be remembered for who he was and what he stood for. Jack was a man of principle, with a strong sense of right and wrong, where honesty, loyalty and responsibility were essential. He was raised in Maplewood, NJ, in a large yet close German family. He was shaped as a child of the Depression and molded by his association with the Boy Scouts, where he, like his father and brother, advanced to the rank of Eagle. He had a strong patriotism and was proud of his service to his country, 180 days in combat with the 104 ^th Infantry “Timberwolves” in Europe during WWII and he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. He was a loyal son of Rutgers, a member of Varsity Crew and of Chi Psi fraternity where he served as Chairman of the Alumni Board for many years. Married to Jane, the love of his life for nearly 70 years, they shared a wonderful and long life together in Springfield and Summit NJ, Wilton Creek VA, and Lake Naomi and Lancaster PA. His family meant everything to him. In the last period of his life, he introduced himself proudly by talking about his 4 children, 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and spouses. He was especially thrilled to have the opportunity to see all of those living members of his family within the last month of his life. Jack was employed for his entire career at Public Service Electric and Gas where he became Division General Manager, utilizing his management and engineering acumen to the fullest. He gave extensively of his time, talent and treasures, taking on leadership roles in the many organizations and causes that were so meaningful to him. He was physically and mentally strong throughout his life and it was important to him to maintain that strength, independence and self-reliance. While he valued his privacy, he was anxious to share his experiences, insights and wisdom as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family and friends know they all are much better human-beings from what he taught them and showed them by example, and they feel incredibly blessed and honored by Jack’s time with them and cherish the many memories of his life.

Jack’s wife Jane (nee Richards) predeceased him in February of this year. Jack leaves behind his four children, Sarah Marcelliano and her husband John of Cape May, NJ, Roger Schwanhausser and his wife Carol of Westport, CT, Carolyn Bell and her husband Franklin of Hatfield, VA, and Barbara Huey of Frenchtown, NJ, as well as 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

One of the organizations Jack respected most highly is Jacob’s Ladder, a program founded by Aubry Hall in Urbanna, Virginia. Jacob’s Ladder seeks to aid and encourage intellectually gifted, at-risk middle school through high school students to reach their full potential and become leaders in the community. Jack requested that any memorial gifts be made to Jacob’s Ladder, PO Box 555, Urbanna, VA 23175, or at jladder.org

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hoyt-Cognetta/Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street, In Historic Norwalk.