Henry E. Stevens, 102, of Fair Haven, died peacefully Feb. 3, 2022.
Henry was born Jan. 16, 1920, in New Britain, Connecticut, to Joseph and Bertha Stepanski. Henry earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and graduated as a lieutenant junior grade. Before shipping off on the USS Tuscaloosa to join the U.S. World War II Pacific campaign, Henry married Virginia Madeleine Rowe Aug. 23, 1944. Together they had six children.
Henry had a successful career in the corporate world after World War II. His position with Becton-Dickinson brought him to Fair Haven in 1975, where he remained a resident until his death.
After retiring in 1983, Henry enjoyed a rich life in Fair Haven, even becoming the Grand Marshall of the Fair Haven Memorial Day Parade in 2019, at the age of 99. On his 100th birthday, Henry became an inspiration for all of the students at Knollwood School as he greeted them in the halls.
Henry made many friends in the Fair Haven area, including neighbors, firemen and fellow veterans. We thank you all for enriching his life.
Henry was predeceased by his wife Virginia, son James, and son Geoffrey. Henry is survived by his daughter, Caroline of Ashburn, Virginia; son Ronald and his wife Birgitte of Los Angeles, California; Pamela Colucci and husband Robert of Tampa, Florida; daughter Deborah Stevens of Washington, D.C.; grandson Joe Colucci and wife Deirdre and great-grandchildren Sierra and Matthew, all of Tampa, Florida.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank, with words of remembrance at 6:30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at The Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road, Fair Haven. Burial will follow at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Wrightstown.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to The Church of the Nativity, whose love and devotion to Henry in his last years was immeasurable.
The article originally appeared in the February 24 – March 2, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
