George Anthony Schatz Sr., of Annapolis, formerly of Ilchester, passed away Feb. 28, 2008 at the age of 88.
Born in Catonsville, he later moved to Montgomery Road in Ellicott City when the construction on the family home was completed. He attended Ellicott City High School.
In 1941, he was drafted into the Army as a private and served for five years. He was sent to the Philippines, where he became a prisoner of war, participated in the Bataan Death March and was taken to Japan. He was liberated from a Japanese camp after three years in 1945, and discharged as a sergeant that same year. For his service, he received many awards including several Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Philippine Liberation award. Although it would have meant his death, he kept a diary during his imprisonment. It provides a haunting insight into the courage and tenacity of extraordinary men plunged into unconscionable circumstances.
He married Margaret (Peggy) C. Hackett in 1941. He worked as a painting contractor for his family's business, George F. Schatz and Sons, in Ellicott City, for 40 years. He retired in the 1970s and later moved with his wife to their home on Whitehall Creek in Annapolis where he loved to fish, crab and boat.
He was a long time member of the U.S. Power Squadron. A generous, loving husband, father, uncle and gentleman, George truly exemplified the "greatest generation."
He was survived by his wife and two sons, George A. Schatz Jr., of Catonsville, and Thomas C. Schatz, of Annapolis.
Born in Catonsville, he later moved to Montgomery Road in Ellicott City when the construction on the family home was completed. He attended Ellicott City High School.
In 1941, he was drafted into the Army as a private and served for five years. He was sent to the Philippines, where he became a prisoner of war, participated in the Bataan Death March and was taken to Japan. He was liberated from a Japanese camp after three years in 1945, and discharged as a sergeant that same year. For his service, he received many awards including several Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Philippine Liberation award. Although it would have meant his death, he kept a diary during his imprisonment. It provides a haunting insight into the courage and tenacity of extraordinary men plunged into unconscionable circumstances.
He married Margaret (Peggy) C. Hackett in 1941. He worked as a painting contractor for his family's business, George F. Schatz and Sons, in Ellicott City, for 40 years. He retired in the 1970s and later moved with his wife to their home on Whitehall Creek in Annapolis where he loved to fish, crab and boat.
He was a long time member of the U.S. Power Squadron. A generous, loving husband, father, uncle and gentleman, George truly exemplified the "greatest generation."
He was survived by his wife and two sons, George A. Schatz Jr., of Catonsville, and Thomas C. Schatz, of Annapolis.
George Anthony Schatz Sr., of Annapolis, formerly of Ilchester, passed away Feb. 28, 2008 at the age of 88.
Born in Catonsville, he later moved to Montgomery Road in Ellicott City when the construction on the family home was completed. He attended Ellicott City High School.
In 1941, he was drafted into the Army as a private and served for five years. He was sent to the Philippines, where he became a prisoner of war, participated in the Bataan Death March and was taken to Japan. He was liberated from a Japanese camp after three years in 1945, and discharged as a sergeant that same year. For his service, he received many awards including several Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Philippine Liberation award. Although it would have meant his death, he kept a diary during his imprisonment. It provides a haunting insight into the courage and tenacity of extraordinary men plunged into unconscionable circumstances.
He married Margaret (Peggy) C. Hackett in 1941. He worked as a painting contractor for his family's business, George F. Schatz and Sons, in Ellicott City, for 40 years. He retired in the 1970s and later moved with his wife to their home on Whitehall Creek in Annapolis where he loved to fish, crab and boat.
He was a long time member of the U.S. Power Squadron. A generous, loving husband, father, uncle and gentleman, George truly exemplified the "greatest generation."
He was survived by his wife and two sons, George A. Schatz Jr., of Catonsville, and Thomas C. Schatz, of Annapolis.
Born in Catonsville, he later moved to Montgomery Road in Ellicott City when the construction on the family home was completed. He attended Ellicott City High School.
In 1941, he was drafted into the Army as a private and served for five years. He was sent to the Philippines, where he became a prisoner of war, participated in the Bataan Death March and was taken to Japan. He was liberated from a Japanese camp after three years in 1945, and discharged as a sergeant that same year. For his service, he received many awards including several Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Philippine Liberation award. Although it would have meant his death, he kept a diary during his imprisonment. It provides a haunting insight into the courage and tenacity of extraordinary men plunged into unconscionable circumstances.
He married Margaret (Peggy) C. Hackett in 1941. He worked as a painting contractor for his family's business, George F. Schatz and Sons, in Ellicott City, for 40 years. He retired in the 1970s and later moved with his wife to their home on Whitehall Creek in Annapolis where he loved to fish, crab and boat.
He was a long time member of the U.S. Power Squadron. A generous, loving husband, father, uncle and gentleman, George truly exemplified the "greatest generation."
He was survived by his wife and two sons, George A. Schatz Jr., of Catonsville, and Thomas C. Schatz, of Annapolis.
