Henry P. Walden
September 8, 1931 ~ May 11, 2025
Henry P. Walden, age 93, of Marlborough, Massachusetts died Sunday, May 11, 2025. Henry was born September 8, 1931 in Germany. He is the son of the late Heinrich and the late Annemarie (Tlach) Walden. He was employed as a Horticulturist. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rosemary in 2019. He is survived by his loving children, Chris (Caroll) Walden of Massachusetts, Maria (Chuck) Fox of Pennsylvania, Joe (Lisa) Walden of Massachusetts and Matt (Kendra) Walden of New Hampshire. He is also the cherished grandfather of eleven grandchildren. Born Heinrich Woszczyna in Germany, Henry was the oldest of five children. Growing up during and in the aftermath of WWII, not only was the family forced to change their last name to "something more German," Henry's view of life was shaped in knowing how to be grateful for what you are already blessed to have and accepting that you do not need anything more. Henry was interested in propagating trees and shrubs and went to a trade school and various apprenticeships to hone that passion. Running out of room in the family home, Henry made the decision to leave his entire family and Germany and head to America in pursuit of a propagator position posted on a stamp-sized ad. Sailing into New York harbor, he landed in Hoboken, NJ, and journeyed to Freeport, NY to start his life and career. He was welcomed by Anna Feile of Atlantic Nurseries, who posted that job offering. Anna became a dear "second mom" to him here in the United States. While working that job, he met his landlords' niece, Rosemary. Hearing her greeting, "Hello Henry!", Henry said he was "hit by a brick." They were married less than six months later! Henry proceeded to become a US citizen and relocated with Rosemary to eastern Long Island to be the propagator of the newly formed Imperial Nurseries of Long Island. They purchased a newly constructed home on a rural dead-end street. Being spared by a forest fire and watching the population and housing boom over the course of their 59 shared years together, they raised four children—Christopher, Maria, Joseph, and Matthew. Catholic and moral values were embodied within Henry's life every day. Henry enjoyed horticulture not only as a career, but he spent countless hours of time working to beautify and maintain his own gardens and those of friends and family. He also enjoyed volunteering his time and talents to beautify the landscapes of St. Anthony of Padua church and the Knights of Columbus Hall in Rocky Point. With his faith as his foundation, he volunteered in many other ways at the church and the Knights. He was a founding charter member of the Knights' local Council and remained active until he relocated to Massachusetts in late 2024. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 9:00 – 11:00 am at the Rocky Point Funeral Home, 603 Route 25A, Rocky Point, New York. We will have a closing prayer at 11:00 and proceed together for burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Coram, New York. An online guestbook can be found at www.rockypointfuneralhome.com.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Rocky Point Funeral Home
I remember talking with Henry many times when he and Vinny Maggio would be at Saturday morning breakfast at St. Jude Council KofC. I didn’t mind hearing some of the same stories about his recollection for how he grew up and the WWII at the time and how his father’s saving grace was that he was purported to be “too close to the Catholic church” and that was what saved him from the Nazis as he family were leaving Germany… He had a wealth of knowledge that he would share when I would stop by randomly on a day at the council or see him at St. Anthony’s Church – gardening, the trees, the flowers, etc. He would still perform tireless upkeep at the church and around the council, and I would find myself picking up refuse/trash around just to keep up with my own contributions the way he did so much around his own home, and these two places… I was happy to share that time with him and looked forward to his stories and what knowledge I could glean from him about history, or how he felt regarding the use of gas-powered blowers for landscaping, instead of the manual method he preferred in his own way. I will miss him and his presence at the Knights’ and at St. Anthony’s and I express my deepest sympathies to his family for their loss… He would tell me often that it wasn’t his time yet as he we talked in the kitchen at St. Jude Council after Saturday breakfast… Now he is reunited with his wife, and I pray for the both of them to be in God’s grace in Heaven where one day we may all be.
– Jon Romano
I have known Henry & Rosemary more years then I can recall. When the KofC bought the Supermarket and redid part of it for their meetings we would meet almost every Saturday to do the planting of trees, bushes and flowers for months.
Henry always worked at keeping them alive and looking good. He was a close friend to many in his quiet manner. We missed him when he stopped coming to meetings but got to see him at Mass at St Anthony. Look at the landscape of the Church on the West Side and you will be looking at Henry’s gift to the Church and Rocky Point Viva Jesus
Joe & Jean Daly
It is with deep sadness to learn of Henry’s passing. As neighbors to the Walden Family, we cherished the many decades living side by side to a wonderfully creative man. Henry and Rosemary were always available, sharing and of loving assistance when our mother Marie was in need of help. The Jordan Family always awaited the summer crops from The Walden’s garden, carefully nurtured from the hands of ‘the master” Henry ! We will miss him, but the great memories will remain. We send our love to all of the Walden Family at this time. The Jordans, Kit ,Henry and Michael
Henry and Rosemary were always so kind and supportive of my mother Marie Jordan, their next door neighbor on Hunter Ave. Rest in peace, dear Henry.
Kit Jordan Greerty