Harry "Paul" Schrank Jr.

1927 - 2022

Harry "Paul" Schrank, Jr.
October 21, 1927 - December 22, 2022
Raleigh, North Carolina - On December 22, 2022, Harry "Paul" Schrank, Jr. took his last breath at home in Raleigh NC. He is much missed, celebrated, and honored by his partner of 39 years (husband for eight) Joseph Wheeler, who was with him during those final moments.
Paul (Bud) is survived by his younger brother Joel Palmer Schrank (Jacky) of Jacksonville, FL, as well as many nieces and nephews and many more grandnieces and grandnephews, and even more great grandnieces and great grandnephews. He was predeceased by his father Harry Paul Schrank, Sr., mother J. Kathryn Palmer Schrank, his stepmother Rachel Williams Schrank, and his brothers Edwin Palmer Schrank and Frederick John Schrank, II.
Paul was born in Akron OH and called Raleigh NC his home for the last 33 years. His undergraduate degree was from Ohio University in Athens OH, and he was a proud member of Theta Chi fraternity. He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL with a Master's in Library Science.
He served as reference librarian at Georgia Institute of Technology before becoming head librarian at the University of Akron (OH). He served as Chairman of the Board and Vice President of Marketing and Membership at the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), Dublin OH, before retiring in 1987.
Paul was so very proud of his service to the country, being a World War II Navy veteran, serving as troop transport on the USS Randall out of Pearl Harbor, "bringing back troops from the South Pacific." He rose to the position of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
Until recent times, Paul could be found at A.E. Finley YMCA at least three times each week, attending classes or riding a recumbent bike. He appreciated classical music and enjoyed completing crossword puzzles (in ink). Each morning he read the New York Times online, then he and Joseph would complete the Times Spelling Bee puzzle together. He has been an inveterate reader for many years, with more than 3000 books on his Kindle. His favorite pastime was to sit in his blue high-back chair, reading for hours.
In recent months, after a diagnosis of cancer, he was supported by a team from Transitions HospiceCare, a program of Transitions LifeCare, whose wonderful guidance and assistance made it possible to honor his wish to live the final days of his life in his own home. It was Paul's choice to not have a memorial service. However, he would be pleased if, when you raise a glass of your favorite beverage, you remember his name. He would be equally pleased for those who wish to honor him, if you make a contribution to YMCA of Wake County, Raleigh NC, or Transitions Lifecare, Raleigh NC. Condolences may be shared at CremationSocietyNC.com