Rockland ASA Umpire President Hank Jaxel dies at age 67

A funeral service for Henry R. "Hank" Jaxel, longtime president of Rockland ASA Umpires, is set for Friday at St. Anthony's Church in Nanuet, according to the sports organization.

Jaxel, a Bardonia resident, was the face of the Rockland ASA organization, which provides officials for many youth baseball and softball games as well as adult softball league games throughout Rockland County. Jaxel oversaw the assignment of umpires for softball games.

He died on May 3. He was 67.

"He will be missed by all of us and will always be remembered for his humor, patience, friendship, leadership and diligent hard work on behalf of our organization and members," stated a message on the Rockland ASA Umpires web site.

Hank Heitner of Tallman, commissioner of the Rockland Senior Sunday Morning Softball League, said Jaxel had long been very helpful to his league.

"He was a real gentleman," Heitner said of Jaxel. "He was terrific."

The ASA umpire program is among the nation's largest officiating organizations with over 42,000 officials actively involved each year. ASA officials are nationally recognized as the best trained and proficient in the sport and are involved in competition starting with league play, city, state and national championships. Ultimately, ASA umpires could officiate events such as world championship, Pan American and Olympic competitions.

Calling hours are set for Wednesday, 7 to 9 p.m., and Thursday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home, 321 S. Main St., New City.

A funeral mass is set for 10 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony's Church, West Nyack Road, Nanuet.

For further information, contact Ron Greene of Rockland ASA Umpires at 845-893-1250. Rockland ASA Umpires has asked that umpires attending the calling hours and funeral service appear in uniform.