Henry Phinney, 88, died unexpectedly December 1st.
Mr. Phinney was born on January 6, 1937 in Los Angeles, California, the oldest of 4 brothers. He was raised and educated in Albany, New York.
He served in the U.S. Army 1954-1956 and the U.S. Air Force 1956-1960.
In 1961 he married the late Claire Giroux. They were married for 43 years until her death in 2004.
His career was with Sikorsky Aircraft as an electrical technician for 38 years. He put the power on the Black Hawk helicopters built at Sikorsky, including the one our President uses today. He retired in 1999.
He coached Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball for 23 years in Trumbull, Connecticut. His biggest joy was winning the state championship and having the trophy presented to him and the team on the field at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
He moved to The Villages in Florida in 2000 where he enjoyed golf. Golf brought Hank and current wife Joanne together and they were married in 2005. They celebrated their 20th anniversary this year. They enjoyed golf, bowling and travelling. Family was always important to Hank and travel included visiting his many relatives as well as family cruises.
As the years passed, Hank’s health declined and they made the decision last March to leave The Villages and make Lake Port Square, a continuing care retirement community, their home.
Survivors include his wife of 20 years, Joanne; brother Robert of Jacksonville, Florida; many nieces and nephews; Brothers-in-Law – Anthony “Rick” Riccio, The Villages, Florida and Philip
Riccio, Chatham, Ma. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Claire; Father, Herman Lester; Mother, Helen Irene Zehner; Brother, Charles and Brother, John.
Visiting Hours will be held Friday, December 12 from 10-11am; Celebration of Life Service to follow at 11 am at Beyers Funeral Home, 1123 W. Main Street, Leesburg, Florida with Pastor Bob Chase, Lake Port Square – Officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The National Kidney Foundation.