Henry E. Waite

(Hank)
Age: 82 Of Yardley

Passed away peacefully October 30 surrounded by his wife, several of his daughters and close friends. Born in Philadelphia in 1936, he lived most of his life in Toms River, NJ and Yardley, PA.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 24 years, Nancy Downes Waite, and his siblings Nancy Blackburn of Sarasota, FL and Donny Waite of Cripple Creek, CO. He was a devoted father to his daughters Tracy Waite of Fair Haven, NJ, Kelly Paskowski (Ed) of Bridgewater, NJ; Laura Chewning (KC) and Andrea Evans (Jason) of Yardley, PA and Kara Devoto (David Mason) of Houston, TX as well as grandchildren; Samantha, Ian and Marlo Chewning; Lucas Evans; and Cole, Tanner and Hailey Paskowski. He was predeceased by sister Donna Aleshire of Sarasota, FL and his grandson Charlie Chewning of Yardley, PA.

He spent his professional life teaching generations of New Jersey elementary and middle school students, primarily in Forked River, NJ, to love chess, understand math, and to speak proper English. A favorite annual project was to teach kids how to nurture dying plants back to health and then present them as Mother’s Day gifts.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and a veteran of the US Navy, Hank was an avid sailor, a former US Yacht Racing Association Judge, Past Commodore of the Toms River Yacht Club and the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association and a former member of the Island Heights Yacht Club. He was happiest aboard his beloved sailboat Ricochet, on a beam reach with Nancy trimming the sails. When he wasn’t sailing, he could often be found in the kitchen creating wonderful meals for family and friends, running, or voraciously reading every book in sight. He also loved spending time as a swimming coach and overseeing lifeguards each summer on the Jersey Shore.

Hank had a huge appetite for life, for sharing his insights with those he loved and engaging in long philosophical discussions on a wide range of topics. Known to his grandchildren as Skipper, he tried to imbue them with his passion for the water and his marvel at the natural world.

Immediate services will be private. Memorial donations can be made to the Toms River Yacht Club Memorial Fund, 1464 Riviera Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753. Hank was instrumental in establishing The Memorial Fund during his tenure as Commodore.