Henry Rodrique

Henry J. Rodrique, 92, passed away on February 27, 2016 at St. Mary's Manor, Lansdale PA after a long and fulfilling life. Most of us know him fondly as "Chief." He was a man of extraordinary compassion and generosity. The son of the late Henry Compton Rodrique and Agnes Veronica (Kasmer) Rodrique, Henry was born in Bayonne New Jersey, April 23, 1923. He shared his life with his beloved wife of 53 years, the late Margaret Francis (Sim) Rodrique. He was predeceased by his daughter Carmelita Marie. Henry is survived by their son, Henry, wife Pollie of Harleysville; Margaret Mary (Margo) Holleran, and son-in law, Kevin Holleran of Pittsburgh. He had four grandchildren: Keegan Holleran, Peyton Holleran, Cassie Rodrique, and Sophie Rodrique; his late brothers, Louis T, John T, and the late sister, Veronica Rodrique. He is also survived by his brother Frank D. and wife, Eileen Rodrique of King of Prussia PA. Henry graduated from Bayonne High School, June 1942 and shortly thereafter entered the U.S. Army on October 14, 1942 as a Private. He served until January 1947 when he received an Honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant. Chief Rodrique had an exemplary military record. During the four and one-half years of active duty, Henry served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations in WW2: the scope of which extended from combat duty in North Aleutian Islands to the invasion of Okinawa. He participated in nine major invasions; earning the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star Arrowhead for the assault of Leyte Island, one Silver Star and one Bronze Star for the assault on Aleutian Islands and Eastern Mandates, New Guinea, Luzon, and the Ryukyus Campaign. In addition, he received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars. Sergeant Rodrique was also awarded the Bronze Star with the Oak Leaf Cluster for the Okinawa invasion with the following citation: "For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy during the Leyte Island Operation." Sergeant Rodrique was a naval gunmen spotter and part of the elite JASCO (Joint Assault Signal Company), where he and his battalion crawled through gunfire to continue to set up radio and wire links in order to communicate and report observed Japanese assaults. The Leyte campaign proved the first and most decisive operations in the American re-conquest of the Philippines and the cost was high with American forces suffering 15,584 casualties and the Japanese 49,000. Subsequent to his discharge, he served in the U.S Army reserve, rank of First Sergeant E-8 of the 416th Civil Affairs Company where he supervised 187 enlisted men. He retired on April 23, 1983. Henry was a policeman for 35 years in the Phoenixville Police Department. He rose to the rank of police sergeant in 1961, and then served as Juvenile Officer for the Phoenixville Police Department where he instituted the first Juvenile Aid Division. Additionally he was promoted to Detective Sergeant and worked in undercover narcotics and the Criminal Investigation Unit for twelve years. Henry was later promoted to Chief of the Phoenixville Police Department until retiring in 1986. He also worked as Deputy Sheriff for the Chester County Sheriff's Department for a number of years post retirement. While working for the Phoenixville Police Department, Henry attended Penn State University studying Law & Corrections. He completed the two year program at Delehanty School which was universally recognized as the best Police Science education available. Henry attended and graduated from numerous law-enforcement academies including: The FBI Academy, Quantico VA, the Drug Enforcement, Federal Narcotic School in Washington, DC, The US Department of Justice Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, PA Chief of Police Association, Chester County District Attorney's Office, Combat Fire Arms, Accident Investigations, Riot Control and Civil Disorder, Public Service with Children & Juveniles, PA Narcotics, and Drug Enforcement. Henry was dedicated to his family but also to his community. A devout Catholic, Chief Rodrique volunteered at Sacred Heart Church as an usher and multiple committees. He served as past Grand Knight of the Order of the Knights of Columbus. He was the past Commander of the Phoenixville VFW Post 1564, coached the Phoenixville Marion Youth Club Football teams, and served on the Board of Directors of the Phoenixville Y.M.C.A. for six years. Henry also belonged to the Fraternal Order of Police Association, Chester County Police Chief's Association, The American Legion Spring City Post 602, Disabled American Veterans, Polish Club, Slovak Club, West End, Valley Forge, Liberty, and Friendship Fire Companies. When Chief Rodrique was not at home with his beloved family or aiding in the community, he enjoyed pheasant and rabbit hunting locally and deer hunting in Potter County. He loved playing cards with his fellow Knights of Columbus and taking annual college football trips to Notre Dame, Pittsburgh & Penn State. He will be fondly remembered for the lives he touched and the lasting impact he had on the communities he served. The family would like to thank the nursing and hospice staff at Grandview Hospital and St. Mary's Manor for their loving support and professional care. Dad also enjoyed living at Arbour Square & the Birches communities in Harleysville for the last three years. There will be a visitation held at the Devlin, Rosmos, Kepp, and Gatcha Funeral Home, 517 South Main St., Phoenixville Pa 19460 on Thursday March 3 from 6:00pm-8:00pm and Friday March 4 from 9:00am-9:30am. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday at 10:00am, 146 Church St Phoenixville, PA 19460. There will be full military honors. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery following the mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warriors Project, The Chester or Montgomery County SPCA.