Henry Grabber

Henry Grabber passed away on January 19, 2011 at home in Lebanon. He was the son of Frank and Helen Spafford Grabber. Henry lived his entire life on the family farm in Lebanon where he worked with his brother Spafford to preserve the land as a legacy for the 10th family generation and beyond. He attended the public schools in his hometown and went on to achieve undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Connecticut. As an educator for 40 years he taught mathematics and science at Woodstock Academy and at the Regional School in Hebron Connecticut. In the latter part of his career he moved into administration for thirteen years until his retirement in 1993. Henry served as principal of RHAM Middle School in Hebron. Henry's fondness for working with young people came when he was selected as an exchange student to Finland in 1955 where he worked with 4-H clubs while there. His greatest love from that journey was meeting and later marrying Elvi Sofia Viiltola who survives him. Elvi is the daughter of Wiljam and Martha Viiltola of Vihanti, Finland. In November of 2007 they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Soon after marriage they built their home on the edge of the family farm where they raised two sons: John Hallam and Brian Henry. John is married to Pamela (Davis) formerly of Lebanon. They now make their home in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. Brian was married to Jacqueline Cone whose prior home was in Lebanon and then to Joanna Dempsey from Tolland. Brian lives on the family farm in Lebanon and his current companion is Lauren Carrara. Henry and Elvi are blessed with nine grandchildren: Clarisa, Naomi, Stacia, Josiah, Austin, Elizabeth, Steven, Matthew, and Sofia. Henry is survived by five sisters: Jonica Blakeslee, Gretchen Lathrop, Virginia Strenkowski, Dawn Drum and their husbands all of Lebanon, and Cheryl Cavanaugh and her husband of O'Fallon, Missouri. Predeceasing Henry was his brother Spafford a life-long partner and special friend. Also surviving Henry are twelve nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at Goshen Congregational Church on Church Road in Lebanon on January 29th at 10:00am. Interment at the Old Exeter Cemetery on Route 207 in Lebanon will be a private service. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Henry's favored charity. (Address: Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 509, Hartford, Connecticut 06141-0509). Arrangements through Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. For online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .