Henry C. Rivers Clu

PAXTON – Henry C. Rivers CLU, 85, of 2 Crestwood Road, died on Monday, February 9, 2009 in Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, after a long illness.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vera V. (Poyhonen) Rivers; his sister, Irja V. Haynes of Worcester; four nephews, Brian T. (Phyllis) Rivers of Roseville, Ontario, Canada, David L. (Gloria) Anderson of Manchester, ME, Mark A. (Tresa) Poyhonen of Sterling, VA and Kris E. (Marcie) Poyhonen of Macomb, MI; two nieces, Cynthia A. (Jay) Beard of Hubbardston and Lenore E. (Ambrose) Morean of Gardner; 4 grandnephews; 11 grandnieces; 4 great-grandnephews and 5 great-grandnieces. His brother Oiva H. Rivers, nephew William H. Rivers and niece Susan V. Haynes predeceased him.

Henry was born in Worcester on September 7, 1923, a son of Herman and Hilda (Paananen) Rivinoja. He lived in Hubbardston and Worcester and in Paxton for 49 years. He was a graduate of Athol High School in 1941 and received his BSBA from Clark University and CLU from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. He was a retired insurance/investment broker.

He joined the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1941 and his naval service was varied. Duty prior to World War II included NAS Quonset Point, RI where he participated in fabricating and erecting the first Quonset huts which became common to all service branches. He was in the commissioning crew of the USS 656, a wooden hulled sub-chaser which operated anti submarine convoy patrols in the Caribbean and South Atlantic. From 1943-1944, Henry was stationed in Fortaleza, Brazil attached to Blimp HQ Squadron 4. From Dec., 1944 – Oct. 1946 he served on the USS Missouri (BB63) which saw action at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Japanese Home Islands. He volunteered for the 3rd Fleet Landing Force and was a platoon sergeant occupying Yokosuka Naval Base when the Instrument of Surrender was signed aboard the Missouri. Henry was proud of his country and naval service. He regretted the true history of World War II is not factually taught in schools today. He was a fan of college and professional sports, particularly basketball. He had enjoyed trapping as teenager as well as hunting and fishing through his middle years.

Henry was a member of the American Society of CLU and CHFC, Golden Key Society, USS Missouri (BB63) Association, Inc., American Battleship Association, Patrol Craft Sailors Association, VFW Post 15022, United States Navy Memorial and the Admiral Nimitz Foundation (Pacific War Museum). He supported the long overdue World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, and with his wife attended the dedication in 2004. Henry is recognized as a major donor to the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor and with Vera visited his ship on four occasions. Henry's passing leaves an empty place in the hearts of friends and to whom he was husband, brother and a special uncle.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 12th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. The funeral service for Henry will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13th, in the funeral home. Spring burial will be in Rural Glen Cemetery, Hubbardston. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested memorial donations be made in his name to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., P.O. Box 879, Aiea, Hawaii 96701-0879, or to a charity of one's choice.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com