DUDLEY – Henry J. Antos, Jr., 65, of Dudley died Monday, March 14, 2011 in his home after an illness.
He leaves his wife of 46 years, Carol C. (Bernier) Antos; 3 children, Henry J. Antos III and his wife Beth A. Antos of Mount Gilead, NC, Christine M. Hawley and her husband Robert E. Hawley of Vernon, CT, and Lori J. Duggan and her husband James M. Duggan of Palmer; 9 grandchildren, Adrienne, Allison and Emily Hawley, Hannah and Gwendolyn Duggan, Lilly Kerr, Carol Vargus, and Nancy and Trina Scurka; his mother, Victoria (Staveski) Antos of Dudley; a brother, Richard Antos, and a sister, Evelyn Kullas, both of Dudley; and nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his 2 infant daughters, Mary Jane Antos and Theresa Marie Antos.
He was born and raised in Webster, the son of Henry J. Antos, Sr. and moved to Dudley in 1972 after building his own home. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1963.
Mr. Antos began his work career at the family dairy farm in his youth. He then was employed by the Town of Webster Highway Department. He was a machinist at Pratt-Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford and then a tool and die maker at the American Optical Company in Southbridge. While there, he created a specialty ball bearing that was patented by the AO. He then became the senior engineer in the research and development division of Schott Fiber Optics in Southbridge. He retired in 1996.
He liked being called a “gentleman farmer.” He had a large garden, which at one time included about 40 varieties of potatoes and medicinal herbs. He excelled at wine making. He was a jack of all trades and master of several. He loved his family, most particularly his grandchildren. He loved the Lord and Holy Scripture and often spoke about Jesus.
A procession will form at Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster, at 9:00 AM on Monday, March 21, followed by a memorial Mass at 10:00 AM in Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hill Road, Dudley. Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Memorial calling hours will be from 3:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday, March 20, in the funeral home.