Enrico J. “Henry” “Hank” DePaolis
Enrico J. “Henry” “Hank” DePaolis, retired Lieutenant and Station Commander on the New Jersey State Police, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on Wednesday Sept 11, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Elda B. (DiLorenzo) DePaolis with whom he shared 66 years of marriage. Born in Phillipsburg, NJ on June 12, 1932, he was the son of Italian immigrants, the late Pietro and Angelina (Micarelli) DePaolis of Phillipsburg. He attended Phillipsburg schools and enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War. During his deployment to Japan, he was chosen to play baseball as an accomplished pitcher where one of his proudest moments was pitching a no-hitter and being promoted on the mound.
After his military service, Henry decided to join the New Jersey State Police and married Elda, in 1957. He was assigned to Troop B where he served in many different North Jersey barracks over his career. Henry attended and later graduated from Churchman’s Business School with an associate degree in business while serving as a trooper. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant and Station Commander and was a willing mentor to many young police officers, freely imparting his knowledge and wisdom over the years.
Henry was a loving Husband, Father, Brother, Grandfather and Great Grandfather as well as a loyal friend to many. Henry and Elda raised their five children in Phillipsburg and after imparting their value on education, they were extremely proud of each of their children’s accomplishments both personally and professionally. Henry also encouraged his children to participate in sports and used his passion for the sport of baseball to pass on his knowledge by not only coaching his own sons, but others as well in the Phillipsburg Senior League.
He was a lifelong resident of Phillipsburg until he and Elda moved to Milford, NJ in his retirement years. After his retirement, he worked at Lentine Trucking and later as a Bailiff in the local courts in Phillipsburg.
Henry cherished his family fishing trips to Canada and fishing for trout with his children in the local creeks and rivers. He also enjoyed our vacations to the Jersey Shore. He loved golfing in a golf league with his longtime friends touring the many area golf courses. He would tell us when he won 3 dollars getting closest to the pin and was proud of it. He would light up when Friday golf day came along, as recent as last fall.
Henry was a lifelong member of the Italian American Social Club in Phillipsburg and a member of the NJ Former Troopers Association.
Quite often Henry could be found planning and tending to his vegetable garden as well as mowing his property on his lawn mower, which he loved to do. Building upon his belief that family is everything, he helped reconnect back to his relatives in Italy so that current and future generations of the DePaolis family can maintain a link between the two shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Anyone that knew Henry will remember him for his generous spirit, often dropping everything to help others in need. Our family’s hearts are broken but we are comforted in the belief that his legacy will live on in so many ways and that we will meet again. Predeceased by a sister Algia, brothers Gildo and John. He is survived by his wife Elda, daughter Kathleen Olesh and her husband George of Coopersburg, Pa, his sons Richard DePaolis and wife Christine of Pottstown, Pa, Dr. Robert DePaolis and his wife Erika of Slatington, PA, Ronald DePaolis and his wife Julie of Essex, Ma, and Enrico “Rick” DePaolis and his wife Carolyn of Furlong, Pa, and seven grandchildren, Alison DePaolis, Leigh Ann DePaolis, Jessica DePaolis, Daniel DePaolis, Devin DePaolis, Caitlin DePaolis, Nicholas DePaolis and one great grandson, Paxton King.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 6 – 8 pm at the Finegan Funeral Home at 302 Heckman Street in Phillipsburg, NJ. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, at the funeral home, at 11:00 am. The entombment will be at the St. Mary Mausoleum in Alpha, NJ. Visit www.fineganfh.com.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org.