Harry Schwab Jr.

Harry William Schwab Jr. passed peacefully on April 21, 2020, four days shy of his 93rd birthday. Harry lived a long and productive life and will be dearly missed by his family. An attorney by trade, he was born in Akron and attended St. Sebastian Parish grade school and graduated in 1945 from Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, WI. That April, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in Cuba. He then earned a B. S. Degree from John Carroll University. In 1954, Harry earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron Law School. Specializing in real estate and corporate law, he practiced with his father, Harry W. Schwab, Sr., until the latter's death in 1969. He shared a proud moment with his father when he was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar. In 1970, he was the founder of the Akron-based law firm consisting of himself and Rex Sager, Kean Grosenbaugh, Max Rothal, W. Howard Fort, Archie Skidmore and Sam Nukes. He practiced before the Ohio Federal Court, several District Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio State and Akron Bar Associations. He later became affiliated with the Richard M. Hamlin Construction Company, where he was Executive Vice-President and General Counsel. For 20 years, he was Legal Counsel and served on the Board of Directors for House of LaRose, Inc. He retired in 2014, after 60 years of law practice. In 1947, Harry met the love of his life Jane Parish, whom he married on August 25, 1951. Together they raised four daughters. He was a family man and dearly loved his wife, daughters, sisters and the rest of his extended family. Harry never met a food he didn't love and enjoyed dinners out with family and friends. Everyone looked forward to large family gatherings where he would serve his signature blueberry pancakes with Ohio maple syrup, numerous fish fries and BBQ's in the summer. Harry had an insatiable love of travel, including "boys only" fishing trips to Canada. A travel highlight was a South African safari along with several family in 2011. In his later years, he and Jane spent many winters in Marco Island, FL. Harry was an avid reader of history, politics and world wars. He enjoyed playing tennis, watching and playing golf. Harry and Jane moved to Concordia at Sumner in Copley in 2015. They have enjoyed making new friends and enjoying a wide array of activities. Harry took great interest in his daughters' lives and careers and was proud of their accomplishments. Affectionately known as "Poppa," he had an immense love for his 12 grandchildren, taking them to Amish country and enjoying their sports/events. Within Fairlawn's civic life, he was a member of Kiwanis and on the Charter Commission for the City of Fairlawn. He was a life member of the VFW Fairlawn Post #349, two-time Post Commander (2009-2011) and a member of the Fairlawn WWII-Korea-Vietnam Veterans Roundtable. In 2009 he was one of only 110 WWII veterans in NE Ohio to be invited to attend the Honor Flight to the WWII memorial in Washington, D.C. Harry was proud of his country and could be found on Memorial and Veterans Day weekends in Fairlawn, passing out paper poppies, along with vets and several of his grandsons. He participated in the Fairlawn Memorial Day Ceremony, reading "In Flanders Field" as commander. He attended veterans' programs at Copley schools and nursing homes. Harry always had a flag flying, wherever he lived. His love of country was lifelong and unabashed. Predeceased by his parents, Harry W. Sr. and Lillian, sisters Jean McChesney and Dorothy Trecaso, he is survived by Jane, his wife of 68 years; sister, Nancy Hamlin; sister-in-law and Jane's twin, Jean Smith; daughters Susan Schwab, Karen (John) Bader, Anne (Antony) Cannon, all of Akron, Lori (James) Winters of Frankfort, Illinois; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews. Harry treasured his lifelong friendship with his best friend, Richard M. Hamlin, with whom he attended 1st grade through college. "Richard, let's have lunch together sometime." His family is grateful for the kindness and support of Emily Dorland and the Concordia at Sumner staff and other caregivers/hospice. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, family and friends will celebrate Harry's life with a memorial service followed by a military honors funeral. Announcements will follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Fairlawn VFW Post 349, c/o Mr. Bruce Kilian Commander, 363 Afton Avenue, Akron, OH 44313 or to the Akron Bar Foundation, 57 S. Broadway St., Akron, OH 44308 for law student scholarships. If you would like to make a memorial online donation for the Akron Law School https://www.akronbar.org/index.cfm?pg=contributions&cpAction=showDetail&pid=6&cid=6