Henry W Wolcott III

Lansing, Michigan

Age 92, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died August 29, 2011. Henry was born December 16, 1918 in Plainfield, NJ.

Henry was a WWII B-24 pilot who completed 18 air missions supporting the Belgian Resistance in the fight against Germany. On his 18th mission his plane was shot down and Henry was hidden and protected by the resistance until he was captured and imprisoned by the German forces. He was a POW in St. Giles Prison in Brussels until the Liberation of Belgium by the Allied Forces at the end of August, 1944. In October 1944, he married Rosemary Burman. This October 21st would have marked their 67th wedding anniversary. Henry and Rosemary lived in Lansing for many years where they raised 6 children, Henry IV (Nell), James (Lorraine), Susan Wilson, Stephen (Diane), Mary Ellen (James) Knopp, and William (Gloria). Henry and Rosemary have 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law James Wilson.

Henry worked as an accountant for 30 years and was a pioneer in the early stage of the computer age. He retired in 1987. Henry and Rosemary moved to Niceville, FL where they lived for the next 20 years. He was an avid golfer, fisherman, racquetball player, sports enthusiast and lover of art, music and life. He was devoted to Rosemary and an incredible role model for all on how to live life to the fullest.

Henry served as a volunteer and president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Church of the Resurrection. He was also a Hospice Volunteer and worked at Sharing and Caring in Florida.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 2, at 4 p.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church, 815 Sparrow, Lansing, with Father Bill Lugger officiating. The family will receive friends at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing on Thursday, September 1, from 7-9 p.m. with a scripture service at 8:30 p.m. Visitation will also take place 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

The family wishes to thank Sparrow Hospice Services and Grandhaven Living Center Staff for their excellent loving care of Henry. Those desiring may make donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society at Resurrection Parish, 1531 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912, in memory of Henry. Online condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com.