Our Obituaries

Henri F. Waclaw of Glen Spey, NY passed away on Friday, February 10, 2012 at home. The son of Alois and Kerstin Akeson Waclaw, Henri was born in Gotland, Sweden.
After Junior College, Henri served his compulsory time in the Swedish Army Artillery between 1948 to 1950. He was selected for further military education and training to become an officer in the Reserve Forces. Henri became a 1st Lieutenant. His private studies continued at Orebro Tech, an engineering school in Sweden. After three years there he received his degree in machinery. He became an Engineer in 1953.
Henri began his career with Otis Elevator in 1955 as a process engineer in the Yonkers, NY Plant. After a number of engineering assignments in Yonkers and New York City, he was named manager, industrial engineering in Yonkers in 1970. During this time he received a patent for Banding and Balancing of Dynamoelectric Machines in 1967. In 1972, he was named manager, manufacturing for the Yonkers plant, a position he held until 1983, when he was named Plant Manager in Hamilton Ontario. In 1987, Henri moved to the Farmington Engineering Center as director, service, installation and productibility. Henri ran the Liverpool, U.K. plant as director and general manager from 1988 to 1989 before taking on a special assignment of NAO’s Northeast Region. Henri then became Operations Manager for the Bloomington,IN. facility in 1990 and retired in 1992. Between that time he was quite involved with the Luxor in Las Vegas who’s elevators ride on a 39 degree angle. Also the Tower of Terror at Disney in Orlando, Florida.
The Otis Family was a big part of Henri's life and he was very proud to be part of that team. He often said that Otis was very good to him and to his wife, Mary.
Henri and his wife, Mary Imrich Waclaw of 30 years enjoyed the quiet of Glen Spey and retired there. Henri enjoyed Duck hunting in the Baskerkill, was a member of the Deep Hollow Hunting Club and enjoyed playing tennis and golf when he was younger. After retiring, he would travel back to Gotland, Sweden where he enjoyed visits with his brother, Frea and families. He enjoyed the fishing that Gotland had and all the old friends and new friends that he made while there. Henri was always happy to be back home again in Glen Spey with all the extended families and dear friends that he looked forward to seeing. Whether it is at the Post Office or the Town Hall he would always say hello and catch up on the newest happenings. Living along the reservoir he would stop each fisherman to find out how the fishing was and if their luck had landed any "big ones". Some of these fishermen later would stop by to share their stories and drop off the night’s dinner. The sprit of Christmas would bring Henri to the Annual Lumberland Christmas Party for the children. He enjoy watching the children delight in their gifts from Santa. He would talk about when he first to Glen Spey with his Aunt and Uncle Clas Akeson only to have the 1955 flood stopping them from entering the area. Henri enjoyed raising Guinea Fowl and hatched up to 75 of them before he even knew it. He enjoyed his "windows on the world" meaning all the wild life that came through looking for a meal or two. Henri would put his math and engineering skills to work by coming up with all kinds of building projects that with a little help got done in no time.
Henri leaves behind his older brother, Frea and his wife, Ann-Marie, their children, Christina and her children, Niklas and Maans, nephew, Lars Johan and his wife, Helena and their children, Malin and Jonas. Henri also leaves behind his brothers-in law, George, Joseph and Edward Imrich and sisters-in-law, Marge D’Anna and Helen Szulhan, all of Sweden. His extended family of Fountains and many close friends near and far that will miss his quick wit with many stories.
The Family would like to take this time to thank all Henri’s many good friends and neighbors who shared in helping and their concerns. A very special thank you to Christa and the Hospice team, and Terri Fountain, without their compassion it would be so hard for those around Henri to do what needed to be done.
Donations can be made to Lumberland Fire Dept. 5000 County Rt 31, Glen Spey, NY 12737 and Ambulance, or to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550
Private services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-Auchmoody.com