Obituary of Henry Childs

Henry (Hank) Childs, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away at the VA Medical Center in Syracuse, NY on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. Hank was born in Syracuse, NY on April 16, 1921, the son of Rudolph Czaja and Lena Birkowska, who immigrated from Poland for a better life. He married Katherine DeLong, the love of his life, on May 30, 1947. Hank is survived by his children: Kathleen Bear of Highland, NY, Larry Childs of Austin, TX, Cindy Call and her husband Richard of Highland, NY, and Mark Childs of Hyde Park, NY. He is also survived by his brother, John Childs of Syracuse, NY. Hank is also survived by ten grandchildren: Blaise Bear, Corey Bear, Keith Bear, Emily Black, Nicholas Childs, Ashley Childs, Ryan Sundblom, Kyle Sundblom, Caitlin Sundblom and Suzette Faxon, and six great grandchildren. He was recently predeceased by his beloved wife Katherine, on January 24, 2013 and also by a great grandchild, Ethan Foster of Austin, TX. Hank proudly served in the US Navy during World War II. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1949 and was an electrical engineer for IBM until his retirement in 1989. Hank was a congregant of Saint Martin De Porres Church in Poughkeepsie where he served as an usher. He was the past president and member of the IBM Retirees Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks. Hank loved life and enjoyed engaging with his friends and anyone he met. He was an avid skier, hiker, runner, bowler and tennis player. He belonged to Saint Martin's Senior Center and the Sal Lito Dance Center where he frequently stepped on his wife Kay's toes. He was an early advocate of environmental sustainability and lived his life according to those values. Hank was loved by everyone who knew him. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Katherine and stayed by her side for their 65 years of marriage. qThey shared a wonderful life and enjoyed trips to Spain, Hawaii and numerous cruises. Hank was a devoted and fun loving father who loved excursions, adventures and singing in the car with his children. His grandchildren were the light of his later years and he loved every moment he spent with them. He provided them with guidance, support, love, and shared his zest for life with them. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Calling hours will be 4pm to 8pm on Monday, February 25, 2013 at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY. A celebratory Mass of his life will be held at Saint Martin De Porres Church 40 Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie, NY on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 10am. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy