Hubert Alfred Henry was born on May 21, 1931, in New York City to Alfred Frank Henry and Ethel L. Henry. Awaiting his birth was his older sister Dorothy (Elaine). Several years later his younger sister, Lenora (Laurie) joined their family.
He graduated from Dewitt Clinton High School in the Bronx in 1949. As a young man, his friends nicknamed him “Wise Owl” because, according to his sister Dorothy, he always tried to do what was right and when they got in trouble he did not.
After the Army, Hubert worked various jobs, settling in at New York Bell Telephone Company on July 22, 1968, as one of their first African-American telephone installer and repairmen. He retired from the phone company on December 22, 1991, and soon thereafter moved to Palm Coast, Florida, with his wife Neleta, where he lived until his passing.
In 1956, Hubert married his one and only love, Neleta Hortence Osorio. They remained together for fifty-one years until parted by Neleta’s untimely death in 2007. Their union produced three children: Michael, who died at birth, Karen and Chaka.
Hubert had many interests. One was music. As an early teenager, he started learning to play the violin but soon decided he wanted to play the saxophone. He played the saxophone so well that he was able to play it in the Army band. His sister Laurie also recalls him forming a musical group. Hubert had an extensive collection of records and created hours of musical jazz mixes from the radio on reel-to-reel tapes, years before you could purchase a musical compilation.
Aquariums were another of Hubert’s interests. He maintained beautiful fish tanks. Hubert also enjoyed fishing with friends and neighbors, which he did daily after retiring; playing cards- specifically bid whist with family and friends; gardening, for which he had a green thumb and photography. Hubert captured much of our family history with his camera.
Hubert’s greatest love was family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle and was a good provider. He was a solid and well-respected member of his community, always willing to help someone.
Hubert especially enjoyed watching all types of sports with his son Chaka and loved watching movies and riding rides at amusement parks with daughter Karen.
Hubert’s love was often expressed through laughter, poking fun and joking. He gave the gift of his presence generously, attending all family events. Hubert even had a signature dance where he stepped from side to side, smiled and rolled his hands around each other. Hubert and Neleta loved traveling and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Caribbean and Europe.
Predeceased by his wife, Neleta; father Alfred Henry and mother Ethel; brother - in- laws Harold Osorio and George Mason. Survived by his children Karen and Chaka, his sisters, Dorothy Mason and Lenora(Gilbert) Centeno: his sister-in-law Beatrice, Ronnie: nieces and nephews, Sheila Mason, Kathy(Stanley) Bull, George(Janice) Mason, Darryl (Pamela) Centeno, Christopher Centeno and Cynthia Centeno-Fraser; great nieces and nephews and a host of extended family friends will miss Hubert.
Lovingly Submitted by the Family
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