Andus Gene Hale

Andy Hale

A beloved and well known member of our brotherhood, Chapter XIX honors his passing here.

Obituary of Andus Gene Hale

Andus (Andy) (Reb) Gene Hale passed away on November 1, 2019 at age 79 at his place of residence in Philadelphia. He was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Andus (known as Gene to his family) was born in Richlands, VA on April 30, 1940 to Mildred and Everett Hale. Together they lived in the Portsmouth area. He was the oldest of 7 children. Gene moved to Newport, Pennsylvania in 1957 to live with his Aunt Merle Livingston and attend Newport High School, where he was nick-named Reb. He wrestled, played football, ran track, and was a member of the drama club. Reb graduated and joined the army (Special Forces Green Beret) in 1959. After fulfilling his three years in the army, he studied to be a history teacher at Shippensburg State College. At Ship, Reb was on the wrestling team and a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity. He married Patricia Ann McKee in 1965 and graduated from college in 1967.

Now known as Gene, he landed his first teaching job in Mechanicsburg High School in 1967, where he was a history teacher and the assistant wrestling coach. The following year, he was hired by Garden Spot High School in New Holland Pennsylvania, where he made a home and grew his family. He taught history until his retirement in 1999. Gene also founded the Garden Spot football team in 1970 and served as head wrestling coach and softball coach throughout his career. He and his family were members of the Bangor Episcopal Church in Churchtown, PA.

In 1975, Gene joined the Army Reserves (Special Forces Green Beret). He was a proud paratrooper and Jump Master until April 2002. In the reserves, he was nick-named Chief. Chief was also an avid sailor with a love for the open waters. He owned a sailboat for most of his life and spent many weekends refurbishing it or sailing. At the marina and in his retired life, he was known as Andy.

Andy is survived by his four children, Amy G. Arcaro, Theodosia M. Hale, Andus E. Hale and Nathan L. Hale, his son-in-law Ralph Arcaro, his daughter-in-law Jessica Cook Hale, his ex-wife Patricia A. Kennedy, his grandchildren Gage Arcaro, Raina Arcaro, Aidan Fells, and Morgan Cook Hale.

Andy’s funeral service will be held at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA on Friday, November 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research in Andus Hale’s name.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research

22512 Gateway Center Drive

Clarksburg, MD 20871

To Donate: brightfocus.org/stopAD

Condolences may be sent to:

The Arcaro and Hale Families

1821 Kater Street

Philadelphia, PA 19146