Henri Joseph Vellmure Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Henri Joseph Vellmure went to his eternal rest on July 25,2022. Henri joined his beloved wife Theresa Ann (Tommony) of 73 years who preceded him in death on January 7, 2021. Henri was born in Denver Colorado on May 13, 1926, to the late Henri Joseph Sr. and Frances (O’Grady) Vellmure. He attended Jesuit parochial school and following High School attended University of Denver for two years. His engineering skills were evident even in his early years when he built his first crystal radio. Mid way through university he decided to pursue a career in the United States Army, where he would spend 20 plus years and retire as a Master Sargent. While, stationed at Governor’s Island New York he attended a USO dance where he met his future wife. Not long after, they married in NYC on May 18, 1947. While living in New York their first daughter Mary was born. Henri was then shipped out to fight in the Korean War, where he would spend approximately 18 months there. After, returning from the war they spent time stationed in Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey, and Georgia where their second daughter Theresa was born. The Army then decided they needed his skills in Germany so off to Europe the family went. It was quite the adventure since this was taking place during the cold war and the Berlin conflict. Suitcases were ready and packed including C rations, as the potential for evacuation loomed. But in the quieter times Henri and family traveled all over Europe, including Austria, Italy, and Belgium where they were able to attend the Brussels World Fair. Henri so loved to travel, and languages came as easy to him as breathing. He could hear someone speak and would pick up the language almost immediately. Following the end of his tour in Germany he was transferred back to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He was assigned to the Hexagon where he worked on a variety of projects including on one of the first main frame computers used during the Vietnam era. After, Fort Monmouth new orders came in for him to take his family to Taipei Taiwan. While there he oversaw communications for the Army on the island. Not long after arriving in Taiwan the island was hit with the biggest Typhoon in 25 years. While his family was in a hotel Henri was on top of Gold Mountain watching the island being hit by winds and rain that devastated the island. He later told his family his fear was that they were lost. Fortunately, all survived, and they lived there for another two years. Henri was transferred back to Fort Monmouth where in 1967 he decided it was time to leave the military and pursue a career in the public sector. That led him to work for Bell Laboratories (AT&T) in Holmdel New Jersey. He was in the Research and Development area where he worked on the beginning of what is now known as fiber optics. He also worked on video phones. He was very proud of the work he did there. Following a 20-year career at the Labs he retired, and he and Theresa decided to buy an RV and do some traveling until they settled in Lighthouse Point and then Boca Raton, Florida where they lived for over 25 years. Henri was an active member of the Elks Lodge in Pompano Beach. He held officer positions as Treasurer and Exulted Leader. He obtained lifetime status. During this time, Henri was also greatly involved in the Army 17TH Signal Battalion Retirees Association, serving as webmaster for many years. Henri and Theresa travelled extensively both in the US and abroad with St. Thomas being a favorite destination. Besides the many charity functions that both he and Theresa were involved in Henri had a passion for woodworking. Every year at Christmas you could always count on a new piece of his Christmas village. One of the last projects he made was a to scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. He used the same schematic as the original architect. Henri also enjoyed photography, gardening, and genealogy. Even into his 90’s Henri enjoyed painting bird houses to be sold for donations to Alzheimer’s Research. Henri was a dedicated and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his daughters Mary Vellmure of Altoona, Wisconsin, and Theresa Peck (Gary) of Haymarket, Virginia as well as grandchildren Craig Thompson, Stephanie Yohey (Matt) and Gregory Peck (Shea) and great-grandchildren Devin, Dominic, Carsyn and Paxton Donations in Henri’s honor can be made to Capitol Caring Health. Donate to Capital Caring - Capital Caring Health https://secure2.convio.net/cc1/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app261a?df_id=2841&mfc_pref=T&2841.donation=form1

Henri Joseph Vellmure Jr.

May 13, 1926 - July 25, 2022