Henry J. Kaczman

1996 - 2021

Stonington - Henry J. Kaczman of Stonington, tragically passed away Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. He was 25. Henry was born in Boston, Mass., May 22, 1996, to James L. Kaczman and Elizabeth (Libby) D. Evans.

He grew up in Brookline, Mass., and in Ledyard, Mystic and Stonington. He was a graduate of Stonington High School, Class of 2014. Henry excelled in both academics and athletics, where he shone in cross country. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and psychology from Syracuse University in 2018. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from University of Connecticut School of Nursing in 2020.

Henry was sweet, kind, gentle, smart and funny. He was a trusted and unfailingly loyal friend to many, who often turned to him for caring support and preternaturally wise counsel. He had a searching, inquisitive mind; and he had a wide array of interests. As a youth, he was renowned for his constant activity and pranks, and would do practically anything to make his cousins and friends laugh. Henry battled anxiety for much of his life. He found refuge from the anxiety in his love of science, philosophy and music. While at Syracuse University, Henry sought to understand and help himself and others suffering from anxiety by studying psychology and the science of the brain. While studying psychology and biology at Syracuse, he became interested in the possibilities of psychedelic therapies for psychiatric conditions such as PTSD and anxiety. He was a supporter of MAPS, (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and hoped to someday be able to help offer those therapies to those they could help. Henry also developed his skills as a musician and rapper. He enjoyed writing, producing and performing his own songs under the stage name, Concept Residue.

After graduating from Syracuse, Henry worked as an ambulance Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), at Mystic Healthcare Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Pendleton Health and Rehabilitation Center in Mystic, where he provided sensitive and kindhearted care for the patients, often going in on his days off to visit with residents and patients. After graduating from UConn School of Nursing, he was a resident psychiatric nurse at Backus Hospital in Norwich, and then worked as an RN at Pendleton, and most recently at The Elms Assisted Living Community, in Westerly, R.I., where he continued to provide his warm, empathetic care.

Henry is survived by and will be missed dearly by his mother and father, of Stonington; girlfriend, Alice Hanson, of Waterford; grandmothers, Geraldine Evans, of Ledyard; and Joan Kaczman, of Westfield, Mass.; aunts and uncles: Karen Kaczman and husband, Kurt McKissick, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; Daniel Kaczman and wife, Susan, of Oak Ridge, N.C.; Lynn Kaczman, of Westfield, Mass.; Jonathan Evans and wife, Rita, of Scituate, Mass.; Marianne Evans-Ramsay and husband, David Ramsay, of South Berwick, Maine; Christopher Evans and wife, Kim, of Norwich; Joanne Evans and husband, Scout Stevenson, of Brookline, Mass.; and Justin Evans and wife, Linda, of Plainville, Mass.; and Judith Evans and husband, Matthew Sandonato, of Milton, Mass.; and cousins: Kaitlin Daniel and husband, Hao Xu; Nicholas Daniel and wife, Ulada Haranina; John Kaczman, Emilia Evans and husband, Juan Pablo Rodriguez; Haley Evans, Ian Ramsay, William Ramsay, Chelsea Evans, Elise Evans, India Stevenson, Rider Stevenson, Brenna Evans, Camdyn Evans, Raymond Evans, Luca Sandonato and Aura Sandonato.

A Celebration of Life will be held at future date in the Stonington area. In lieu of flowers, his parents plan to establish a memorial to Henry, most likely a scholarship in Henry's name. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to gofundme fundraiser "Celebrating the Life of Henry Kaczman;" https://gofund.me/2ec9830b.