Henry John Smidowicz, Sr., age 96, of Milford passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Lord Chamberlain Manor, Stratford. He was born in Derby to the late Mieczyslaw (Max) and the late Agatha Kocol Smidowicz on March 18, 1919. He served proudly in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Guadalcanal. Henry was a member of the VFW and was was active as a historian, photographer, and one of the first organizers for the Catholic War Veterans of Derby. Before retiring, Henry worked as a supervisor for Pratt & Whitney Co. of North Haven for many years. As a child, he was one of the first Cub Scouts in the United States. Henry will be remembered for his love of gardening, traveling, and how he enjoyed watching John Wayne movies. In addition to his beloved wife, of 73 years, Anastasia Semchisen Smidowicz, he is survived by his devoted children, Kathleen Poirier and her husband Joseph of Beacon Falls, Henry Smidowicz, Jr. of West Haven, and Stephen Smidowicz and his wife Alison Lamothe of Edwardsville, IL; four grandchildren Kenneth Poirier and his wife Sherri of North Providence, RI, Julia Squashic and her husband Joseph of Huntersville, NC, Maxwell and Seth Smidowicz and three great-grandsons, Alexander and Brayden Squashic and Aiden Poirier. Beside his parents, he is predeceased by his brothers Thaddeus, Thomas, and Francis Smidowicz, and sisters Bertha Wilson, Helen Smidowicz, and Blanche DiMauro. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Lord Chamberlain for their kindness and compassion, especially Christine Nsimire-Mweze, CNA, Darlene Kopka, LPN and Sandra Leblanc, LPN. Family and friends are invited to Smith Funeral Home, 135 N. Broad Street Milford, on Thursday, April 30th from 4 pm to 8 pm. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, 400 Merwin Ave, Milford at 11 am on Friday, May 1st. Interment will follow in Saint Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave, Milford. Memorial Contributions may be made in Henry’s name to St. Agnes Church, 400 Merwin Ave, Milford, CT 06460.