BANGOR – Henry B. Prescott, 85, beloved husband of Betty B. Prescott, died peacefully Jan. 3, 2012, surrounded by his family at home. He was born May 27, 1926, in Damascus in the town of Carmel, son of Ray and Katherine (Bailey) Prescott. The family moved to Hermon in 1926.
Henry was a 1944 graduate of Hermon High School. He was drafted into the service right after high school, and was soon shipped over to Glasgow, Scotland on the Queen Elizabeth and then on to Germany. He served in the U.S. Army in the 70th Division during World War II as a scout, auto mechanic and quartermaster. He earned several medals, including a Fourragere aux de la Croix de Guerre granted to the entire body of troops for bravery in action. He was discharged July 30, 1946. Henry was employed with American Gear, Eastern Auto and finally with N.H. Bragg, prior to retiring in 1995. He attended Columbia Street Baptist Church and enjoyed volunteering at the soup kitchen put on by the church at Salvation Army. Henry was a member of Lynde Lodge No. 174 of Hermon, and a member and vice-president of Bangor Jaycees. His stepdaughters all agree that Henry was the best stepdad anyone could ever ask for. He was not big on saying “I love you,” but we knew he loved us all very much, as we did him. “Gramps” had a special place in all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s hearts. He will be forever in all of our hearts. We thank him for taking such good care of our mother, who he affectionately called “Love,” for all these years. Henry was a wonderful handyman and enjoyed tinkering at camp. He loved to go fishing with whoever would go or just sitting up on the rock watching the action on the lake. With Henry, everything was either “very good” or “fine.” If he didn’t say that you knew it wasn’t. On frequent trips to Boothbay, Henry always liked driving out to Ocean Point to make sure the beautiful ocean was still there. He also enjoyed sailing with his friend, Bill Barlow.
Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Betty (Barlow) Prescott of Bangor; one son, Timothy Prescott of Portland; six stepdaughters, Terry Grant and her partner, Sue Emmert, of Lansing, Mich., Laurie Crane and her husband, Donnie, of Bangor, Rebecca Sinclair and her husband, Robert, of Glenburn, Betsy Grant and her partner, Elaine Stevenson, of Lunenburg, Mass., Julie Reed and her husband, David, of Holden, and Janet Howell and her husband, Bill, of Holden; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Coombs, Carrie Johnson, Jeremy, Shannon and Deanna Karam, Julianna and Joey Howell, and Cody McInnis; and four great-grandchildren, Leontine and Gage Bailey Coombs, Necia York, and Preston Karam. Henry always enjoyed visits from his special foster brothers, Francis and Avery Boudreau and their wives.
Relatives and friends are invited to call 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, with Pastor Scott McPhedran, of Columbia Street Baptist Church, officiating. The family invites folks to share conversation and refreshments after the service at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. Private burial will be Monday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Gifts in his memory may be sent to Columbia Street Baptist Church, 63 Columbia St., Bangor, ME 04401; or Community Health and Counseling Services Hospice, P.O. Box 425, 42 Cedar St., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.