Henry Hecky Jr., 88, of Garrettsville, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 14, 2015. He was born on December 21st, 1926 in Akron, OH, the second child of Henry and Rose E. (Seifert) Hecky. In April of 1927 the family moved to Garrettsville where Henry Sr. purchased the Ford agency from Paine and Quirk who were still dealing in Fordson farm tractors and selling model T’s, which sold for about $500 in those days. Henry Jr. began his education in the Garrettsville school system, which included just two school buildings at the time. He joined the Boy Scouts when he was 12 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout by age 15 under the guidance of scout master Paul McManigal. Henry graduated high school in 1944 and began attending Hiram College until his education was interrupted by the draft in April 1945. He served in the U.S. Navy as a third class petty officer until his discharge in August of 1946. Henry then continued his college education at Western Reserve University in Cleveland and graduated in 1949. On April 21, 1950 in Nelson, OH, he married the girl of his dreams, Mary Louise Hahn, who had watched him graduate at Severance Hall the previous year. Their first residence was on the upper floor of a home owned by Eleanor & Arthur Angel. They purchased their first home on Maple Avenue in 1953 and five years later built a home on Center Street where they raised four wonderful children; Gail, Karl, Paul and Laura
Henry was business manager and co-owner of the Hecky-Pollock Ford dealership in Garrettsville for 30 years. He was a member of Garrettsville United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir for 50 years. He was a member and a past president of the Garrettsville Kiwanis Club and Master of Nelson Grange. Henry served as a member on the James A. Garfield School Board and as treasurer for the Village of Garrettsville. He was an avid NASCAR fan, enjoyed watching football, spending time with his family, and fishing in Canada.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary (Hahn) Hecky; children Gail Hecky of Delaware, Karl (Sherry) Hecky of Garrettsville, Paul (Flor) Hecky of Virginia and Laura (Mike) Young of Garrettsville; brother William (Nancy) Hecky of Garrettsville; 9 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Henry was preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Leta and Ruth.
A Celebration of Henry’s Life will begin at noon on Saturday, February 28, 2015. The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 1:30 pm with services immediately following at the Garrettsville United Methodist Church, 8223 Park Ave., Garrettsville, OH 44231. A private burial with full military honors will be at Park Cemetery in Garrettsville at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Chancel Choir of the Garrettsville United Methodist Church at the above address.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8382 Center St., Garrettsville, OH 44231. Online condolences at www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com & funerallocation.com
