James Norman Schenck

Commander USCG (Ret) James N. Schenck passed away on Thursday, August 19th, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. James was born in Brooklyn, NY, on May 20, 1927, the day Charles A. Lindberg was making his historic solo crossing of the Atlantic. Son of James J. Schenck, a New York City fireman, and Marion A. Mazowiecka, a secretary, he attended NYC schools including the selective Brooklyn Technical High School. This led the way to entering the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, in June 1945. He graduated in June, 1948, with a Third Mate's License and a BS degree in Marine Transportation. For the next seven years he sailed on freighters in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As he was a reserve officer, the Navy called him to duty as a navigator. In 1956 he acquired his Master's License for any ocean, any tonnage. He then joined the US Coast Guard and served nineteen years. His last ocean going duty was onboard the USS Manhattan as executive officer. While serving in the Coast Guard, he traveled the Northwest Passage from west to east and opened the Channel of Ice to the US base at McMurdo. In 1976 he retired from the US Coast Guard to reside in Virginia Beach. From 1976 to 1993 he worked as a marine surveyor at which time he fully retired. His service to the public includes twelve years with the Kempsville Lions Club, twelve years at the Kempsville Library repairing books, with an estimated savings to the city of $75,000.

Left to cherish his memories are his lovely wife of fifty-five years, Josette Antoinette Schenck; his son, James Joseph Schenck, of Birmingham, Alabama; and son Peter Thomas Schenck of Virginia Beach. His grandchildren include Willow, Charlotte, and Caroline Schenck.

The family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00 pm on Monday, August 23rd at Smith and Williams Funeral Home at 4886 Princess Anne Rd with a funeral service at 2:00 pm. Please share your love and condolences with the family at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com