Henry Joseph Grenier
A tireless Community Servant

Morris - Henry Joseph Grenier, Jr., 88, of 109-20 East Street, Morris, CT went peacefully to his reward on December 27, 2016 after a brief bout of pneumonia. Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, he was the son of Henry Joseph and Mary O’Conner Grenier. Henry graduated from St. Francis Xavier grammar school and Sacred Heart High School, both in Waterbury. After High School, Henry entered the Religious Order of the Holy Cross Brothers in Valatie, NY. During this time he attended St. Mary College and University of Notre Dame in Indiana. He returned home after a few years, realizing this was not his calling. He was drafted into the US Army 6th Armored Division Special Training Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, attained the rank of Corporal, and proudly served from May 1954 to June 1955 at which time he was given an honorable discharge for medical reasons.

Henry was a lifelong bachelor, who loved people. He was endowed with buckets of love which he readily dispensed to all he met. Telling stories of all kinds, especially of the past, was one of Henry’s greatest enjoyments. He was quick-witted and a jokester. His love for people was what influenced his choice of work, working with troubled youths. For twenty-five years he served as counselor at Father Flanagan’s Boys Town, Nebraska where he endeared himself to all he met and left a lasting impression on the hearts of all the boys he cared for, many of whom still keep in touch with him. Following that experience, Henry served as Financial Aid Director for Vatterott College in St. Louis, MO, and also at Sullivan Educational Center, Kansas, MO. When Henry returned home to Connecticut, in an effort to contribute his knowledge and experience, he became a committee member of a number of civic organizations including but not limited to the Transit District of Torrington, AARP Chapter #4987 of Morris, the Senior Center Commission of Morris, and the Western Connecticut Area for Aging of Waterbury. He served as co-chair of the National Special Olympics when Morris hosted the country of Reunion. Henry was a member of the American Legion Post 173, Morris and very proudly a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Anthony Council #56, Litchfield and served as financial secretary for many years. After receiving his 4th degree exemplification he joined the Father Duggan #112 Assembly, Torrington. Henry was also an active member of his parish church, Our Lady of Grace in Bantam, Connecticut where he served as Eucharist Minister for several years. Henry’s other great enjoyment was watching the Uconn girls basketball games. He was an avid, die-hard fan, never missed a game and he could tell you everything about each player.

Henry is survived by his sisters; Sister Mary St. Henry Grenier of West Hartford, Connecticut and Arleen Keegan of Northfield, Connecticut, a brother-in-law Ronald Grecco of Manchester, NJ, twelve nieces and nephews, seventeen grandnieces and grandnephews, and two great grandnieces and a great grandnephew, each of whom he loved dearly. Along with his parents, Henry was pre-deceased by two sisters; Ann Grecco and Beverly Bavone, two brothers-in-law; James Bavone and Charles Keegan, and a nephew, Stephen Grecco.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to all the doctors and nurses who so lovingly, gently and competently cared for Henry. Our deepest gratitude to William Gero and Richard Bavone, Henry’s nephew, who made Henry’s life worth living and kept him happy by tending to his every need from taking him to Doctors appointments to cleaning his apartment, to grocery shopping and more.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 30, 2016 from 10:00-11:30am at Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 12:00pm at Our Lady of Grace Church, 715 Bantam Road, Bantam. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury.

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