CAMDEN — Henry "Harry" George Dircks, 90, died on Thursday, October 26, 2017 in Camden at his summer residence. Born on April 21, 1927 in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of Henry G. and Mary (Mae) G. (Bartholomey) Dircks.

During WWII, he served as a Seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine and was very proud of his service to our country. After his discharge, Henry's employment started with N.J. Bell Telephone Company (now Verizon), where he worked for 38 years and was a systems technician when he retired in 1992.

Henry's hobbies included archery, ceramics, horseshoe pitching, dirt bike and road rally racing, and motorcycles. He also enjoyed sailing, scuba diving skiing, white water rafting, and working with metal and wood. He owned several water craft in his lifetime, including an ice boat, day sailers, a 25' Cape Dory, and his pride The Flying Dutchman, a 38' steel hull staysail schooner. His travels after the Merchant Marines continued with leisure tours and cruises with his family in all parts of the world. Henry's favorite pastime was keeping people laughing.

Henry served as Secretary and Life Member of the N.J. Dennis A. Roland Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans Association. He was instrumental in persuading the author of "A Careless Word, A Needless Sinking" Captain Arthur Moore of Hallowell, to publish a second and updated edition which was a statistical reference of ships, crew, and cargo that were attacked and sunk during WWII. He was also responsible for obtaining the Merchant Marine Organizational license plate in New Jersey.

Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Elizabeth (Sisto) Dircks of Camden, ME and Budd Lake, NJ; children, Donna Sutera of Casco, ME; Elizabeth Mae Dircks of Flanders, NJ; one grandchild, Heather and her husband, Anthony Carriero of Hillside, NJ; one great-grandchild, Jocelyn Grace Carriero; sister, Muriel Guszkowski of Clark, NJ; brother, Robert Dircks and his wife, Dolores of Upland, CA; and nieces and nephews. He was loved by his wife's family, Carolyn, Doris and husband, Bill, Arthur (Buddy), Barbara and husband, Newton, and their children. Henry was predeceased by a son-in-law, Paul Sutera and two brothers, Eugene and Howard Dircks.

A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.