WEBSTER - Henry R. Osowski, 81, of 92 Point Breeze Road, died Thursday, September 11, in Hubbard Regional Hospital with his family at his side.
He leaves his wife of 28 years, Cynthia R. “Cindy” (Lynch) Osowski; 2 daughters, Sheryl A. Dubois and her husband Robert of Dudley and Linda D. Jackel of Sterling, CT; 2 stepsons, Jonathan S. Chappell and his wife Barbi of Freehold, NJ and David A. Chappell and his wife Wendy of Marlborough; 9 grandchildren, Samantha T. Dubois of Dudley, Tiffany M., Jonathan R. and Elizabeth H. Jackel, all of Sterling, CT, Alicia D. and Amanda L. Chappell of Freehold, NJ, and David J., Christopher D. and Amy L. Chappell, all of Marlborough; 3 great grandsons, Gabriel, Lincoln and Thomas; a sister, Dorothy Aucoin and her husband Richard and a brother, Robert Osowski, all of Southbridge; his former wife, Lorraine D. (Cyr) Osowski of Dudley; nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother Victor Osowski in 1959.
He was born and raised in Southbridge, son of the late Henry V. and Wanda (Polakowski) Osowski. He moved to Dudley in 1949, and then to Putnam in 1970. He lived in Webster since 2000. He graduated from Cole Trade High School in Southbridge.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He enlisted at age 17 and was a fireman on the DE-666 USS Durik. He was one of eight men who claimed to be the sailor in the well-known Times Square photo of August 14, 1945, “Kissing the War Goodbye.”
Mr. Osowski first owned and operated a gas station in Webster. He then was co-founder and co-owner of New England Landscaping Company. He then co-owned Treasure Island Restaurant and Motel in Webster. Until recently, he owned and operated Bob’s Used Cars in Southbridge.
He was a longtime member of the Webster Lions Club. He belonged to the Church of the Reconciliation. Previously, he was a member of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Putnam, CT, and was involved in the healing ministry there. He was an avid hunter and sportsman. He enjoyed fishing and boating and was an ardent fan of the Boston Red Sox. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends.
The funeral will be held Monday, Sept. 15, at 10:00 AM in the Church of the Reconciliation, 5 North Main Street. Burial, with military honors, will be held at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are from 3:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street. The family suggests donations in his memory be made to either the Church of the Reconciliation Memorial Fund, 5 North Main Street, or to Hubbard Regional Hospital, 340 Thompson Road, both in Webster, MA 01570.