Mr. Henry L. Maxwell, Sr.

Henry Lineinger Maxwell Sr., age 88, of Glen Mills, PA ,formerly of Wilmington, passed into the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ on December 23, 2013 at Riddle Memorial Hospital, Media PA. Henry ("Hank") was born and raised in Claymont and was proud to call himself a Delawarean until he moved to Maris Grove Retirement Community in 2012. Hank graduated from Claymont High School in 1942 and from the University of Delaware in 1949, after which he went on to a successful 32 year career with the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and eventually became the Deputy Director of the once sizeable FHA Wilmington regional office. Henry met his loving wife Arpine Semerjian at FHA and they were married in 1952 at the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel, a place they frequently visited on their anniversary. Henry was a caring and devoted husband and father who along with his wife raised three sons - Dr. Henry L. Maxwell Jr., a retired surgeon, David H. Maxwell, retired senior executive vice president at MBNA, and James J. Maxwell, attorney and Family Court Commissioner. After marrying, Hank and Arpie moved to Fairfax, and in 1968 to Chalfonte. Both locations provided a wonderful environment to raise their children, where they met many lifelong friends. Family, relatives, friends and neighbors came to know Hank and Arpie 's home as a special place of uncommon warmth and welcome. Over the years, Hank and Arpie frequently had friends and relatives stay at their residence to help them through life. Henry was a lifelong, active member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Claymont, Delaware where he served as senior warden and on the vestry many times. Over the years he also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and numerous other outreach activities associated with the Church of Ascension. Henry's legacy is his positive, steady, and firm influence on the four generations with whom he interacted. Quietly and unassumingly, he taught those around him the value of love, unwavering good moral character, and integrity. Henry was always there for his children, relatives and friends, and for his children's friends. Later in life, as Granddad, he had the same influence on his grandchildren and their friends. He was truly loved by all generations. Henry celebrated life by recording through an estimated 25,000 photographs the special and ordinary occurrences of life and by copying and distributing his photos to any person who was the subject of them. Henry is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Arpine Maxwell, son, Dr. Henry L. Maxwell Jr. and his wife Dr. Marie Spagnoli, of Gettysburg, PA, grandchildren Christine and Lindsey Maxwell; son David H. Maxwell of Rockport, ME and his wife Lori, grandchildren Annah and Rosalie; son James J. Maxwell and his wife Wendy, grandchildren Sean, Ashley, Wes and Conner; by his cousins, and by many nieces and nephews, including Jeanie Blaze, Hank Maxwell III, James Maxwell III, Karen McPhillips, Michael Semerjian, Mark Semerjian, "Aunt" Margie Semerjian, and all of their families. Dad will be missed by his wife, family, relatives, friends, and by his community at Maris Grove, and by his special loving family at the Church of the Ascension, all of whom are comforted by knowing that Hank is with the Lord Jesus Christ, and that he has been reunited with his father (James Sr.), his mother (Edna), and his brother (James Jr.). Funeral Services will be held on Saturday January 4, 2014 at 12 noon at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 3717 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Delaware, 19703, followed by a reception in the church parish hall. Friends and family may call on Monday December 30, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. at the CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to either the Church of the Ascension Memorial Fund at 3717 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703 or to the Maris Grove Benevolent Resident Care Fund at Maris Grove Philanthropy, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, Pa 19342.