WORCESTER: Henry F. Alexander, 87, of 72 Upsala St., formerly of 76 Seymour St., died peacefully at home, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his devoted family, Tuesday, March 29, 2005.
He leaves his wife of 59 years, Helen J. (Radula) Alexander; his daughter, Nancy A. Jarvis and her husband Robert; his grandchildren, Robert Jarvis, Jr. and Ryan Jarvis, with whom he made his home; two brothers, Chester Alexandrowicz and his wife Mildred of West Boylston, Alfred Alexandrowicz and his wife Mary of Millbury; his brother-in-law Vincent Radula and his wife Lorraine of North Randolph; his "honorary" grand-child, Janasia Chavis-Santiago, whom he called "the little one"; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his best pal "Sadie", his faithful canine companion, who would not leave his side. His sister Ann Salerno and his brother Edmund Alexandrowicz, both predeceased him.
He was born in Worcester on July 15, 1917, son of the late Benjamin and Veronica (Matulevich) Alexandrowicz, and graduated from Commerce High School. As a young man, he worked as a meat cutter at Buehler Bros. on Millbury St. He was an Army Veteran of World War II having served in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and New Hebrides. After being discharged at the rank of Sergeant, he returned home to marry his sweetheart Helen at the bedside of her mother who was ill in Hahnemann Hospital.
Henry worked many years in the Chemistry Lab at Wyman-Gordon Co. in Worcester, North Grafton and Millbury, until he retired. He was a member of the Polish American Veterans of World War II, spent many summers at Cape Cod, and in his later years, enjoyed flea markets where he did a brisk business at several.
CALLING HOURS will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St. In celebration of his life, A FUNERAL MASS will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 1, in OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA CHURCH, 34 Ward St. Entombment will follow in Notre Dame Mausoleum.
The family suggests donations in memory of Henry be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. ARRANGEMENTS ARE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KELLY FUNERAL HOME, WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING RENOVATED.
www.kellyfuneralhome.com