Henry "Hymie" Sanel

Henry "Hymie" Sanel, 96, died peacefully at his home on in Concord on Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Born in Concord, where he lived his entire life, he was the son of Benjamin and Tillie (Cohen) Sanel. He was predeceased by his wife, Natalie (Drewett) Sanel, in 1980.

Henry graduated from Concord High School in 1932. He possessed an encyclopedic recall of Concord's early 20th-century history.

As a young man, he and his family started an auto salvage business eventually growing to become Sanel Auto Parts, which over the years expanded throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. During the 1960s, the company spun-off a division, headed by Henry, that sold industrial equipment and supplies to contractors throughout New England. Until recently, he was active in the business with his current co-owner and nephew, George Segal, with Henry managing the company's real estate holdings.

He served in the Army during World War II, sat on the board of directors of The Concord Group Insurance Co, and was an active member of the Canoe Club of Concord. Henry belonged to the N.H. Good Roads Association, the Concord, N.H., Council of the Navy League and the American Legion. He was also a Bektash Shriner, and a member of Temple Beth Jacob.

Henry enjoyed spending time at his summer home at York Harbor, Maine, over the last 60 years, where he led an active social life. As a proud member of Red Sox Nation, Henry could always be seen sporting his Red Sox baseball cap. At age 89, he was in attendance at Fenway Park with his grandson, rooting for the home team at Game 3 of the 2004 World Series sweep. Well into his later years, Henry could still amaze with his extensive knowledge of the workings of early automotive models and makes.

Survivors include his son, Brian Sanel, and his wife, Dawn, of Henniker; his two daughters Patricia Andrus of Concord and Heidi Sanel and her husband, Kevin Danie, of Palo Alto, Calif.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at Blossom Hill Cemetery at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of MA, RI, NH and VT, 814 Elm St., Manchester 03101; or to the charity of one's choice .

The Bennett Funeral Home of Concord is in charge of the arrangements.

Messages of condolence may be offered at bennettfuneral.com.