Henry “Hank” G. Church, 81, of Syracuse, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at home surrounded by his wife and seven children. A lifetime resident of Syracuse, he was born on Saturday October 5, 1929 and was the son of Henry George Church and Mary Socia Church. He served in the armed forces in Korea.

Hank retired as First Deputy Chief of the Syracuse Fire Department in 1993 after 35 years of service. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

An avid gardener and golfer, Hank was also a former professional boxer. He was a former member of the Camillus Country Club and was affiliated with the “Rascals" of Tipperary Hill.

Hank is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Rita Ennis; daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Tom Schneider, Marguerite Tyo, Kathleen and Matt Oliver, and Maureen Church; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Julie, Peter and Carmen, and Vincent; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends may call Sunday, April 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

Services will be Monday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home and 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated.

Hank will be laid to rest in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Marcellus.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Arc of Onondaga, 600 South Wilbur Ave., Syracuse, NY 13204 or to Jason T. Ennis 2007 Trust, 96 Forest Rd., Hancock, NH 03449.