Mr. Henry R. Surprenant

Henry R. Surprenant Loving Father and Grandfather South Lowell Resident LOWELL—Henry Raymond Surprenant, a resident of the South Lowell neighborhood, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday morning, April 24, 2015. He was 87 years old. Henry was the beloved husband of Helen M. (Corkum) Surprenant who died on December 1, 2010. Henry was born in Lowell on August 18, 1927, a son of the late Alphonse and Exilda (Plante) Surprenant. He was a graduate of Ste. Marie’s Grammar School in South Lowell and a member of St. Marie’s Parish his whole life. He was named the 1st Ste. Marie’s Parish “Man of the Year” an award and honor he was very proud of. Henry lived in the same neighborhood his entire life and never moved outside a half mile radius of his family home. Henry was a Navy Veteran of WWII. He married Helen Corkum on December 31, 1950, and together they celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage. Henry worked as a truck driver for Corenco in Tewksbury which later became Baker Commodities, Inc., from which he retired. He also worked at Anderson’s Dairy in Tewksbury as a Milkman. For several years, Henry was a seasonal employee at St. Joseph Cemetery in Chelmsford. Henry loved to take trips “up country” with his wife Helen and their friends. Back home, Cribbage and the St. Marie’s Cribbage League was one of Henry’s greatest pastimes. By age 12, every child and grandchild of Henry’s had to know how to play cribbage. Playing Cribbage, and card games and dominos were an important part of enjoying free time with Henry. He also loved playing golf, and especially enjoyed a round of golf with his good friend Fr. Gill. Equally enjoyable were his trips to Foxwoods with his best friend Roger Geoffroy. Henry was a calm, laid back gentleman. He was accepting of everyone. Welcoming, loving, caring, and easygoing are all words used to describe Henry’s personality. He enjoyed having people around him all of the time. Henry enjoyed being out in his yard and the devotion and affection of his dog Max. He loved eating at IHOP every Wednesday. Henry was a lifelong Red Sox Fan. Henry was the father of the late Donna Marie Hughes who died in 2007. Surviving Henry are his two daughters, Lynne Marie Wilcox of Lowell, and Sandy Marie Burke and her husband Ed of North Reading; his seven grandchildren, Kerry Ann McIntosh and her fiancé Jack Wang, Lisa Jean Wilcox, James Bradley Wilcox and his wife Teresa, Sean Edward Burke, Kevin James Burke, Scott Henry Burke, and Morgan Elizabeth Burke; four great grandchildren, Allison Jane McIntosh, Andrew Jay McIntosh, Hadley Marie Wilcox, and Thomas James Wilcox; his brother Walter Surprenant; his sisters-in-law, Lucille Surprenant and Jean Corkum; his best friend Roger Geoffroy; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including his longtime cribbage partner Al Stamp. Henry was the brother of the late Rose, Fred, Roland, Clement, Louise, Lucile, Nora and Denis Surprenant. FUNERAL NOTICE SURPRENANT—In Lowell, April 24, 2015, at his home, Henry R. Surprenant, 87, the beloved husband of Helen M. Surprenant. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME on WEDNESDAY from 4 until 8 PM. Henry’s Funeral will begin on THURSDAY morning at 10 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by his FUNERAL MASS at 11 o’clock at HOLY FAMILY PARISH – STE. MARIE’S CHURCH, corner of Chamberlain and Grafton Sts. Lowell. His burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Chelmsford. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Mr. Surprenant’s memory may be made to Circle Home – Hospice Program, 336 Central St. Lowell, MA 01852. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com

Mr. Henry R. Surprenant

August 18, 1927 - April 24, 2015