Retired Engineer

Francis J. Henry, 79, of Coldbrook Road, an engineer at the Naval Underwater Systems Center, Newport, and at the Navy Sea Systems Command in Arlington, VA, before retiring in 1986, died at home Friday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2007. He was the husband of Louise A. (Rapoza) Henry.

Born Feb. 9, 1928, in Providence, he was a son of the late Frank and Victoria (Lopes) Henry. He lived in East Providence during his early years. He was a communicant of St. Timothy's Church, Warwick.

A highly decorated veteran by the U.S. Government and by our foreign allies, he entered the U.S. Maritime Service in 1944 and upon completing shipboard radio operator training, served at sea in the wartime U.S. Merchant Marines. He also served for four years in the regular Navy as an electronics technician in GCA Units, and for 18 months during the Korean War, as a recalled reservist, aboard the USS Endicott DMS-35.

He was a 1956 graduate of Brown University, a member of the secular Franciscan Order, a life member of the Knights of Columbus Fairfax Council 4522, and of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and a member of the US Naval Institute, the Tin Can Sailors, and the Gallops Island Radio Assn.

Besides his wife of 52 years, he leaves a daughter, Anne R. Mohrmann of Winchester, Va., and his three granddaughters, Gina Elizabeth, Dana Victoria and Anna Leigh. He was the brother of the late Joseph F. Henry and Mary M. Proffitt.

His funeral will be Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 9 a.m. from the Rebello Funeral Home, 901 Broadway, East Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, North Carpenter Street, East Providence. Military honors and burial will follow at Mt. St. Mary's Cemetery, Pawtucket. Calling hours were held Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are respectfully requested to the charity of the donor's choice.