Henry August Backmann

1933 - 2016

Henry August Backmann, 82, formerly of Glastonbury, died in South Windsor, CT on May 25th, after complications from Parkinson's disease and dementia. Henry was born on December 27, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY to Henry and Margaret Backmann. He went to Brooklyn Polytechnic High School after showing aptitude for engineering and the sciences. He met his future wife, Janet Anne Peterson, at a Hi-Y dance in Brooklyn where they used to go dance the Lindy Hop at a soda shop called Viebrocks. Henry married Janet on November 20, 1955. Henry served in the Army from 1955-57 in Post WWII occupied Germany. Henry and Janet lived with a German family named the Steipers who took them in and treated them kindly despite the anti-American feeling among much of their German neighbors. They also took this time to travel through Europe and to see the world. In 1960, Henry moved to Glastonbury, CT, for a job with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and to start his family. In 1960, his first daughter, Erica, was born, and in 1963, Kristin was born. In 1970, Henry started a business called HABCO Inc., an engineering design and manufacturing company located for many years on Sequin Drive, and most recently on Oak St. in Glastonbury. HABCO designed and built test equipment for Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and many national and international airlines. In the mid 1980's, he invited both of his daughters into the business, and trained them for management. Erica left the business in 1998 to pursue a degree in family counseling, and Kristin stayed with the business and recently retired in 2012. Henry retired in 1993 and spent many warm winters in Bonita Springs, FLA doing the things he loved the most: playing tennis, golf, and being with his family and grandchildren. He was a wonderful grandpa to his three granddaughters: Elisabeth Diamond, of Brooklyn NY, Stephanie Diamond, of Boston, MA, and Mallory Muschett, of Boston, MA. He will be missed by many for his kindness, sense of humor, and readiness with a good joke. Henry made The Village at Buckland Court his assisted living home in October of 2010. His daughters are grateful and appreciative to the Harbor staff for taking such good care of him and showing him kindness and love. Henry was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Janet, in 2012, and an older sister Harriet Tovar. He is survived by another sister, Caroline Weinschenk, a son-in-law, Bob Muschett of Glastonbury, and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled on August 6 at 12 noon at The Village at Buckland Court, 432 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association of CT. Glastonbury Funeral Home, 450 New London Tnpk, Glastonbury, is assisting with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.glastonburyfuneral.com