Harry F. Ennis Jr., 91, WWII vet, shipyard foreman

Harry F. Ennis Jr., 91, of Williamstown, served his country during World War II, and then began a long career at the Navy Shipyard in Philadelphia, where he worked up to rigging foreman.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, he passed away from congestive heart failure.

His children said he was a quiet yet strong man who worked hard.

From 1943 through 1946, he served in the Army, with deployments that included serving in the Philippines, Japan, Guam, and Samoa.

Although he spoke about combat and the war, his children said he shared fewer memories later in life.

"I do recall one time he said he was asleep in his sleeping bag in the Philippines and he felt a snake crawl across his stomach. He didn't know whether it was poisonous or not. He just laid still until it left," said Mr. Ennis' daughter Sandra Pacini.

Years after he left the Army, Mr. Ennis had nightmares about the war. "He would be startled awake from the bad dreams," said Pacini, one of three siblings.

Mr. Ennis maintained his relationship with other veterans. He was a post commander for the American Legion in South Philadelphia.

He decided to take a job at the Navy Shipyard, encouraged by his father, who talked of work that included a good salary, benefits, and a pension. In 1980, he retired.

In 1969, Mr. Ennis and his now-deceased wife, Sue, moved to South Jersey. They left their rowhouse at 15th and Pollock Streets and bought a single home in West Deptford.

Pacini said he enjoyed the holidays, especially Christmas, when he strung the outside lights. Inside, he raised the tree on a platform and constructed tracks for the model trains that circled the tree.

On Christmas Eve, she said, her father put the toys together for his children.

Jeannie McCloskey described her father as a "self-made craftsman." He had an extensive collection of books and woodworking tools that he kept in perfect condition.

Mr. Ennis' son, also Harry, said he has a rocking horse his father made about 20 years ago.

In Philadelphia, McCloskey said her father had built a basement bar that he also finished with tiles and mirrors.

"He taught himself how to make cabinets and shelves," McCloskey said. "Daddy was a generous man and considerate. He was caring to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren."

Harry Ennis said his father also liked to go deep-sea fishing off the Jersey coast, at times heading out with three generations of the Ennis family. His tackle box included homemade fishing weights.

Ennis said his father was also an Eagles fan and held season tickets he shared with family and friends. On numerous occasions, he took his son.

In addition to his first wife, Mr. Ennis was preceded in death by his second wife, Mary, and a stepdaughter, Jacqueline Wisham. He is survived by his three children and two stepchildren, Candice Murphy and Maryellen Dietrich. He had 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Monday, Sept. 23, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the McGuinness Funeral Home, 573 Egg Harbor Road, Washington Township. The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. at SS Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, 362 Ganttown Road, Sewell. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 300 White Horse Pike, Berlin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1617 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.

Tributes and memories may be shared at www.mcgfuneral.com.