Henry J. VanTassel

Torrington- Henry J. VanTassel, 97, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington. He was the beloved husband of 66 years of the late Edith (Kline) VanTassel.

        Mr. VanTassel was born in Hudson, NY, on August 31, 1920, son of the late Harry and Loretta (West) VanTassel, and had been a Torrington resident for the past 65 years. He was a WWII U.S. Army Veteran and his military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Mr. VanTassel was a Custodian for St. Francis School and was later employed as Operations Manager of the Housekeeping Department for John Dempsey Hospital, retiring with over 20 years of service. He was a member of the Torrington Model Railroad Club, the Sullivan Senior Center, and was a former member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. VanTassel was a communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, enjoyed gardening, and was a train enthusiast.

        Survivors include three daughters, Mary Ellen Kaczynski and her husband, Albert, of Harwinton, Beverly V. Stadler and her husband, Paul, of Hardeeville, SC, and Joan M. Vergaro and her husband, Peter, of Torrington; two grandchildren, Gregory Kaczynski of Harwinton and Karen Czerwinski and her husband Adam of Canton; and two great-grandchildren; Brooke Czerwinski and Tyler Czerwinski. Mr. VanTassel was predeceased by a brother, Edward, and two sisters, Alice and Jeannette.

        Funeral services will be held TUESDAY, January 2, 2018 at 10:00a.m. from Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 78 Litchfield Rd., Harwinton, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call FRIDAY, December 29, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home.

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