Henry Krapf

KRAPF, Henry?Henry Krapf, born April 10, 1924 passed away peacefully Tuesday (February 24, 2009). He was the third child born to Anthony E. and Gertrude (Fein) Krapf and the first of the family to be born in Connecticut. He attended Ashford Schools and Windham High School graduating in 1941. After high school he worked with his family on their farm in Ashford. In January 1944 he enlisted in the Navy serving for about 2 1/2 years. He was discharged with a rank of Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd class and returned to the family farm where he worked until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of the Ashford Board of Education for 13 years and also served on various other town committees and agricultural organizations. Henry was an avid Red Sox fan who truly enjoyed watching them win two World Series. He also looked forward to planting his vegetable garden every spring. A section of that garden was set aside for growing colorful annual flowers which he nurtured with TLC. Most of all he enjoyed giving beautiful bouquets to his family and friends. On April 24, 1948 he married Ethel L. Triska at St. Philip Church in Warrenville. Besides his wife of almost 61 years, he is survived by three cherished children, Rande Jeanne and her husband James E. Clark, Douglas Krapf, and Lynn Marie and her husband Marcel J. Cote, all of Ashford. He leaves two brothers, Edward Krapf and Robert Krapf and a sister, Geraldine Jones. Also surviving him are nine beloved grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Bryan Clark, Timothy Clark and his wife Tyty, Stacey Clark, Matthew Clark, Jeremy J. Cote, Sarah Jeanne (Cote) Dunnack and her husband Rob, Jessica (Krapf) Daniels and her husband Steven, Lauren Krapf, and Anthony Krapf. He is also survived by three great grandchildren Madison Daniels, Steven Daniels, Jr., and Emma Milliard. Gramps, as he was affectionately called, thought he had the best job in the world, that of chauffeuring his grandchildren around to doctor's appointments, CCD, birthday parties, sports practices and games, or anywhere else they had to go. He went to every game he could, and on many days there were multiple or conflicting activities yet he always figured out a way not to disappoint any of his grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, A. Joseph Krapf, and a sister, Magdaline Balazs. His family will receive friends TODAY from 5-7 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Rte. 195, Willimantic. There will be a gathering at the funeral home on Friday, February 27 at 9:45 a.m. prior to the procession to his Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Jude Church in Willington. Following the Mass, interment will be at St. Philip Cemetery in Ashford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department or St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, Willington, CT.