Henry S. “Hank” Grejdus, 93, of East Hartford, beloved husband of 65 years of the late C. Catherine “Cathie” (Hutzler) Grejdus, and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 with his family members at his side.
Born on November 19, 1929 in New Britain, a son of the late Boleslaus and Stephania (Krzywasc) Grejdus, Hank had been a resident of East Hartford for many years. He grew up in the Polish community of New Britain, and graduated from New Britain High School, class of 1947.
After high school he began his duty in the U.S. Air Force in January of 1950. During the four years he was enlisted, he trained at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and was stationed in California, Japan, and Korea (during the Korean War), keeping his F-84 Fighter plane in working order.
While at Lackland Air Force Base he met the love of his life, Cathie, who worked as a secretary at the base. He married her on July 23, 1955 and they made their “Honeymoon” trek up to Connecticut where they lived first in New Britain, before settling in East Hartford. He began working at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford in January of 1955 testing aircraft engines, and retired in 1994 after 39 years of dedicated service.
Hank and Cathie raised their three daughters in East Hartford, and enjoyed his growing family which included six grandchildren and a recent great-grandson and was looking forward to his second great-grandchild in February 2023. A devout Catholic, Hank was a faithful and active communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church. He was a dedicated volunteer for the church where he was a counter of money, in charge of the church bingo, and a church trustee.
Hank had several hobbies, including fishing, golfing, reading, woodworking, playing cards, and creating and tending to his garden every summer. He was also the best “fix-it” individual who would fix anything and everything that was asked of him. He also liked traveling with his beloved wife Cathie after his retirement. Recently (although he missed Cathie) he had been enjoying trips to Vermont with his family. He also participated in social clubs such as the East Hartford Senior Center, Army Navy Club in Manchester for card games, East Hartford Senior Golf League, Korean War Veterans Association, and weekly card games with his best buddies. Most of all, Hank was a proud and devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed experiencing the successes of his daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.
Hank is survived by his three adored daughters, Barbara Dell and her husband Jon of Stafford Springs, Nancy Cadwallader and her husband Steve of East Hartford, Diane Snow and her husband Jimmy of Plantsville; six cherished grandchildren, Ryan Dell and his fiancé Tori Fossett, Jackie Dell and her partner Morgan Soucy, Tommy Snow and his wife Megan, Amanda Snow and her fiancé Leon Peschel, Lindsay Cadwallader Rodriguez and her husband Aaron, and Joshua Cadwallader; and a great-grandson, Henry Snow. He also leaves special family members from Texas including a brother-in-law, Thomas Hutzler and his wife Kathy of Kirby, TX; a sister-in-law, Joan Kiefel of Lake Jackson, TX; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, especially his close friend Frank.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 4, 2023 with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at Our Lady of Peace Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 370 May Road. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Wednesday morning. Burial with military honors will follow at Veteran’s Memorial Field – Silver Lane Cemetery.
Hank’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday (January 3, 2023) from 3:30 – 6:30 pm at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford. Gifts in Hank’s name may be made to a favorite charity.
On-line, visit www.desopoeh.com.
