Worcester: Henry J. Coz, 67, passed away in St. Vincent Hospital on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He leaves his former partner Elizabeth "Betsy" Fitzpatrick and their son Nathaniel "Nate" Coz of Worcester, 6 siblings - Patricia Coz of FL, John Coz of Hudson, MA, Stephen Coz and his wife Valerie of FL, Thomas Coz and his wife Linda of Upton, Mary Coz of Dudley, and Carolyn Coz of Webster, and many nieces and nephews.
Henry was the son of the late Henry and Mary Coz of Grafton, MA. An exceptional student while growing up in Grafton, he attended Portsmouth Abbey School and Cornell University. At Cornell, Henry’s limitless energy and joie de vivre propelled him to the presidency of the campus Delta Upsilon fraternity. His frat brothers still recall a two-week hunt for Henry’s escaped boa constrictor in the halls of DU. After school he worked in the plastics industry, combining his entrepreneurial spirit and environmental awareness to form Coz Group, a pioneering plastics recycler in Northbridge, MA.
The most important part of Henry's life was being a loving father, companion and friend to his son Nate. Henry was always ready with a helping hand during Nate's soccer, basketball, and Audubon summer camp experiences. During Nate’s years singing in the choir at All Saints Church, Henry happily devoted his Wednesday evenings to preparing rehearsal dinner for the large choir. When Nate went to Providence College, Henry and Nate still enjoyed waterskiing trips, family hikes even playing the stock market together. Henry extended his love and caring to Nate's four half-brothers, and to his two nieces and a nephew. The clan shared much holiday joy and family time together throughout the last 24 years.
After family, watersports were a way of life for Henry and allowed him to enjoy extraordinary friendships with people from so many walks of life. As the beloved president of the Nipmuc Water Ski Club in Webster, he helped build the club into a truly competitive Massachusetts ski program. Henry loved windsurfing in Newport, Cape Cod, Aruba and the Dominican Republic. He was an award-winning member of the Cape Cod Windsurfing Association, dominating long board events during the 1990's. For a decade his red Jeep Cherokee, piled high with windsurfers and paddle boards, was legendary on New England beaches.
When not windsurfing, Henry was a force of nature on the bicycling circuit. For many years he rode the Pan Mass Challenge and the YMCA Cycle-a-Thon, raising tens of thousands of dollars for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Livestrong Foundation.
Henry was constantly in motion, swimming along First Beach in Newport or across Indian Lake in Worcester, paddle-boarding, hiking and skiing Mount Wachusett and Mount Washington, and motocross racing on his beloved Ossa Phantom. He also completed the Boston Marathon several times.
Henry loved to travel near and far. He journeyed to Thailand, Mongolia, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Cancun and beyond. Closer to home, Henry made a joyful adventure of his journeys to a favorite bakery, a Jaguar car show, a thrift shop or men’s night out celebration. He always spurred others on to “go see the world!” Even when he could no longer leave his house, his face would light up when he listened to his family share their travel adventures.
A faithful churchgoer, Henry belonged to All Saints Church for the last 15 years. His faith and spirituality made him a friend to all, a helping hand, a prankster, a cheerful spirit, always a participant and never an onlooker, Henry’s love of life shone brightly into the hearts of all who knew him. Once you met Henry, he never forgot you, and you never forgot him. Godspeed Henry - your spirit remains with us, spurring us on to live passionately here on Earth, making the most of our days, just like you so passionately did! We love you!
Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester, MA 01605. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in All Saints Episcopal Church 10 Irving St. Worcester, MA 01609. Burial will follow in St. Philip Cemetery, Grafton. For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.