Harry Francis Kessler

Harry Francis Kessler, 90, passed away on November 26, 2022. Born to the late Harry and Genevieve (Landgrebe) Kessler, Harry was raised in the Bronx, graduated from Christopher Columbus High School  and went on to graduate in 1954 from New York State Maritime College. Afterward he served his country as a U.S. Naval Officer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His service included a tour in Vietnam as a Navy Special Operations Officer in 1966-1967. After retirement from the Navy, Harry was employed as an IT professional by Mission Engineering.

A long time resident of Bowie, Harry resided until his passing in the home he and his late wife Barbara purchased in 1968. He had a lifetime love of gardening, beginning with a victory garden in the Bronx and continuing during his years in Bowie. In addition to vegetables, he grew an abundance of roses, which were his wife’s favorite flower. In later years he enjoyed taking bus trips organized by the Bowie Senior Center as well as attending reunions with his college classmates and his Navy buddies. Harry was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to classical music.

From childhood Harry enjoyed playing and watching sports, including three years on his college basketball team, as well as tennis at the Bowie Bath and Tennis Club. Later he took up golf and enjoyed meeting up with his friends for a round at various courses.  When his children were young he coached girls softball and boys basketball. 

Harry was a devout Catholic and longtime faithful parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Bowie. Each year he volunteered on the Monsignor Hogan Golf Tournament Committee to raise funds for Catholic education.

Harry was predeceased in 2009 by his wonderful wife of 52 years, Barbara Enright Kessler. He is survived by his four children, Harry S. Kessler (Karen) of Silver Spring, Catherine Mills (Michael) of NJ, Michael J. Kessler (Lynn) of Ma., and Jeanne Quinn (Michael), also of Silver Spring, as well as his eight grandchildren, Robert E. Gourley, Jr., Christopher Quinn, John Kessler, Daniel Kessler, Kyleigh Quinn, Mark Kessler, Grace Kessler and Sara Kessler, together with his great-grandchildren, Jackson Quinn, Jaxon Kessler and Josie Quinn. Also surviving is his brother, Ronald Kessler (Nancy) and two nephews, Thomas Kessler and Brian Kessler.

Family and friends may visit on Friday, December 2, 2022 from 3PM to 5PM at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 N.W. Crain Highway (Rt. 3) South, Bowie, Md. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel, 16501 Annapolis Rd. (Rt. 450), Bowie, Md. on Saturday, December 3rd at 12 noon, with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sacred Heart Church- Monsignor Golf Tournament, to support Catholic education.