Henry F. “Ben” Smialek, 95, of Shrewsbury died Sunday, April 14, 2013 in the Lutheran Healthcare Center in Worcester after an illness. He is survived by daughter Victoria Bezoenik and grandson Scott Bezoenik, both of Worcester, brothers Alfred of South Dartmouth and Milton of Fall River, sister Frances of Fall River, devoted son-in-law Michael Bezoenik of Worcester and many nieces and nephews. Henry’s wife Johanna died in 1986. He was the brother of the late Louis Smialek, Louise Finn, Alice Smialek, Helen Smialek, Sara LaCava, Jacob Smialek, Victoria Skrzypiec, Thomas Smialek and John Smialek. Henry was born in Fall River, son of the late Frank and Anna (Kaszowska) Smialek.
Henry worked for many years at the Massachusetts Department of Public Works “lab” on Belmont Street, retiring in 1985. He was a long time member of St. Anne’s Parish in Shrewsbury. He enjoyed watching the Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox and Yankees and playing Keno, as well as playing the Mass. Lottery every week. He cherished time spent with his family and his “adopted grand-dogs” Mitzi and PJ.
The family thanks those whose care and compassion guided Henry, and his family, through his final days – the nurses and doctors at UMass Memorial University Campus Emergency Room and Hospital and especially everyone at the Lutheran Healthcare Center.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Henry's family for calling hours on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. A funeral Mass celebrating Henry's life will be on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 10 AM in St. Anne's Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. Memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran Healthcare Center, 26 Harvard Street, Worcester, MA 01609, to The Foundation of the Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary, Inc., 243 Charles Street Boston, MA 02114, to UMass Memorial Medical Center (for Patient Care), 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or to another charity of your choice.