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Henry Drozdal Obituary

JENSEN BEACH, Fla. - Henry (Hank) E. Drozdal, 93, of Jensen Beach, Fla. and formerly of Hadley, Mass., passed away Sunday, Nov. 9, 2013.

Mr. Drozdal was born in Hadley, Mass. where he lived for most of his life before retiring to Jensen Beach in 1983. Henry was a graduate of Hopkins Academy in Hadley, Mass. and of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was the son of the late Michael and Klementine (Federkiewicz) Drozdal.

During World War II, Mr. Drozdal served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army and served in the Asian theater from New Guinea to the Philippines. He received several battle stars and commendations including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Philippines Liberation Medal. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean conflict and retired from the Army in 1951. Once he was discharged from military service, Mr. Drozdal entered the lumber industry and purchased the Hampshire Lumber Company in Northampton, Mass. He owned and operated this business for over thirty years.

Mr. Drozdal was a member of St. Martin de Porres Church in Jensen Beach and the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley, Mass. He also was a member of the VFW Post 10066 in Jensen Beach and the American Legion Post 271 in Hadley, Mass. He was a frequent visitor to Barbados and Ontario Canada. His hobbies included traveling, golf, and swimming. He also took a keen interest in politics. Mr. Drozdal was a loving and generous family man and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He leaves two daughters, Paula Drozdal Connors of Reading, Mass. and Mary Ellen Drozdal of Hadley, Mass. He also leaves a son, Michael Drozdal and his wife Paula of Northampton Mass. Mr. Drozdal also has two stepsons, Stephen Waghorne and his wife Dawn of Ontario Canada and Gregory Waghorne and his wife Theresa of Ontario, Canada. Henry also leaves six loving grandchildren: Jacob Miller, Katherine Connors, Simone Miller, Stephen Connors, Marcus Waghorne and Jason Waghorne. He also has one great granddaughter Sarah Miller. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.

Four sisters and three brothers pre-deceased him, as well as his first wife, Stephanie Dasco Drozdal, in 1990 and his second wife, Norma Waghorne Drozdal in 2007.

Calling hours for Henry will be on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton, Mass. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Friday Morning Nov. 15, 2013 from the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton, Mass. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley, Mass. Burial with Military honors will follow in Holy Rosary cemetery in Hadley, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Martin de Porres Church, 2555 NE Savannah Rd. Jensen Beach FL. 34957, or Most Holy Redeemer Church, 120 Russell Street, P.O. Box 375 Hadley, MA 01035 or Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, Massachusetts 01101.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Nov. 13, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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I will never forget the several weeks I spent living with Uncle Henry when Aunt Sue and my mother were vacationing in Europe. I was about 16, and it was just the 2 of us. I worked at the lumber yard with him, and then we would go out to dinner or grill steaks every night before watching the Red Sox. It is just one of many examples of how he always made things fun, and knew what was important in life.

Dean DeNicola

November 17, 2013

Uncle Henry was always such a great presence. He'd walk in a room, and fill the whole room with his personality. He's one of the only people who could have me laughing out loud with his humor. He has left a great void, but had such a full life, and peaceful passing. I'll miss him, and all the conversations we had, so much. Love, strength, and comfort to his whole family. Your dad, and grandad was the best, and so many people were drawn to him.

November 17, 2013

We'll miss you Uncle Henry, your friendly voice and great sense of humour! Lots of love and light to all of you!

Deborah DeNicola

November 17, 2013

To the Drozdal Family,
Hank was a dear friend for many decades. We enjoyed seeing him in Massachusetts in the early years & in Florida later. He was a great & true friend and he will be missed and remembered by us every day. Shirley & Mort

November 13, 2013

Mary Ellen, Jacob & Simone, My condolences to you on the loss of your father and grandfather. May your strong faith and the love of family and friends be of comfort to you at this time.

Chris Daniel

November 13, 2013

Paula, Mary Ellen and Mike, I am always sad to see our Greatest Generation and WWII vets pass but I know Hank had a great life with a great family. Our family and your's had a wonderful time back in the day and I am certain Hank had some most excellent stories about all of that. He passed with dignity and grace with family present and at his choosing. Celebrate his life, not his passing.

Jeff & Sheri Logan

November 13, 2013

To the Drozdal Family members,
Sending thoughts and prayers at your loss. Hank was a warm, loving man full of life and will be greatly missed. May all the wonderful memories over the years help you during this difficult time.

Pat and Dick Winn

November 13, 2013

Michael and Paula,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We have many wonderful memories of time spent with Hank full of laughter. May all the wonderful memories you have help you during this great loss. God's Peace and Love

Pat and Dick Winn

November 13, 2013

Paula,

Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.

The Doherty Family

November 13, 2013

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