Obituary of Henry F. Stevenson, Jr.
Henry F. Stevenson Jr. (“Steve,” “Unc,” “Freddie”), age 93, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2024. He was born to parents, Henry F. Stevenson and Florence Stevenson (Hansen). in Perth Amboy, NJ on June 13, 1931. He grew up in the city of Poughkeepsie and spent his adult life in Wappingers Falls.
Henry served proudly in the US Air Force inspecting and repairing planes during the Korean war. After the military, he began his career at Texaco Research Center (Beacon site) where he met many lifelong friends and learned on-the-job about chemistry and machines. In 1957, he married his wife, Pauline, or “Chick” as he lovingly called her during their 56 years together. In 1964, Henry was hired at IBM, East Fishkill as a lab technician In Environmental Services and worked his way up to Advisory Environmental Engineer. When IBM downsized in the 90’s, he stayed on as a contractor, working happily until the age of 78.
When Henry was in his late 40’s, he was diagnosed with a rare terminal cancer but thanks to experimental treatment at Yale Medical Center, he lived a longer life than his family could have ever hoped for. Throughout his life, Henry was a steadfast father, husband and friend who did not hesitate to help when his family or neighbors needed him. He lived simply, but deeply: tinkering around the house (he could fix anything), playing on his bowling league, driving his three children wherever they needed to be, having a catch in the yard, and enjoying his wife’s cooking. Always one to patiently figure things out, he instilled the values of perseverance and dependability in his children.
Henry is predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Reale, his wife Pauline, and his son, Boyd Stevenson. He is fondly remembered by his daughters Jill and Jennifer Stevenson, his four grandchildren, Chelsea and Chloe Weintraub and Brett and Cadence Longo, and his son’s sweet dalmatian, Ellen.
Henry’s wishes were for no formal funeral services. His ashes will be interred next to his beloved wife at Wappingers Falls Rural Cemetery. If you wish to honor Henry, please do a kindness for a loved one or neighbor with no complaint or fuss. Quiet heroes like Henry make the world a better place.
