Obituaries
J. Henry Cyr, 97
February 17, 2021
Everyone lives life hoping it matters. J. Henry Cyr lived a life that mattered and lived that life fully. On Wednesday, February 17, 2021 Henry passed away peacefully at Garden Spot Village, New Holland PA on his 97th birthday. Henry was born in Keegan, Maine and graduated from Juvénat des Pères Maristes Sillery, Québec in 1943.
Henry served two years in the United States Army at the end of WWII and did his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was stationed at Ft. Missoula, Montana and then Camp Cooke, California.
Upon discharge from the Army Henry returned to his home state to attend college at the University of Maine. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering, 1952. He graduated cum laude and was a member of the Honor Societies; Alpha Zeta (Agriculture) and Phi Kappa Phi (Scholastic).
Henry Cyr spent his professional life as a Design Engineer with Sperry New Holland in New Holland, Pennsylvania. He had many foreign assignments including a Field Test Engineer in Colombia and Peru. He was a Liaison Engineer at the Combine Manufacturing Plant in Zedelgem, Belgium. He spent several years working on a special design project and was the Design Manager at New Holland – France plant in Longvic-Les Dijon, France. Henry worked for Sperry New Holland for 30 years retiring in 1982.
The first year after retirement Henry took a position with Ronco Consulting Company of Washington D.C. in Burundi (Central East Africa). He spent a year there and served as the Mechanical Advisor and Acting Principal Advisor at the Kajondi Seed Farm. The project was sponsored by the Republic of Burundi and USAID. Henry donated a cooking pot from his time in Burundi to the Phillips Museum of Art at Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster PA.
Upon his return to Lancaster, Henry enjoyed volunteering at Landis Valley Museum, sailing, water skiing and cycling the beautiful Lancaster County countryside. Henry was a long-time member of the Lancaster Ski Club and enjoyed skiing at many different resorts over the years. His last international ski trip was to Zermatt, Switzerland in 1995. Henry continued his love of photography which he started during his career to chronicle his travels and loved to share the thousands of slides with his friends and family.
Henry was a long-time member of Saint John Neumann Church in Lancaster and belonged to the Knights of Columbus for a brief time.
He will be reunited with his parents, Louis V.F. Cyr and Anna Dufour Cyr, and his siblings, Elise Levesque, Ernest Cyr, Ludger Cyr, Louis Cyr Jr., Rudolph Cyr, George Emile Cyr, Peter Cyr and Paul Cyr. He is survived by his brothers and sisters; Cora Gagnon of Simsbury CT, Germaine Ciriello of Somers CT, Jeanne Cormier of Somers CT, Gerard Cyr of Basking Ridge NJ, Adhemar Cyr of Southington CT, Lucille Dionne of Grand Isle ME, Joel Cyr of Ft. Lauderdale FL, and Noel Cyr of Manchester, CT. Henry will be deeply missed by his many nieces and nephews, especially his caregiver Louise Fichot and her husband George of Long Valley NJ.
Mass Intentions will be said for Henry at all masses on March 7th at Saint John Neumann Church. A live stream can be viewed on their website at https://www.sjnlancaster.org/. Due to the Coronavirus, a Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of the family in Northern Maine, where Henry’s ashes will rest with his father.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lancaster Catholic High School, 650 Juliette Avenue, Lancaster PA 17601 or St. John Neumann Catholic School, 601 E. Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
March 03, 2021
May you Rest In Peace dear cousin!
Babe and Pat Morneault
March 01, 2021
Traveled with Henry while in Columbia and Peru, SA for New Holland. Great experience that Henry enhanced with his warmth and willingness to investigate all aspects of local culture. Shared an apartment with Henry, Ralph Nave, and Dick Bernhardt in New Holland during the early 60s. Henry was a good cook. Nothing but great memories of a true gentleman, Bert Alexander
February 28, 2021
Henry was a great coworker, mentor and friend. We worked together on several projects for many years at Sperry New Holland (Now CNH Industrial).
Ed Blakeslee
February 28, 2021
My condolences to Henry’s family. I remember Henry from many ski trips with the Lancaster Ski Club. Henry was part of a group of friends, Larry Bomberger, the Simpsons, the Phillips, along with my parents Hank and Marianna Hagan, and many others. I’m sure my parents will enjoy a sippy with Henry, Larry and others in Heaven. A true gentleman with a wonderful smile.
Lisa Hagan Alexander
February 28, 2021
Uncle Henry left us with so many wonderful memories through pictures and stories about his worldly travels and experiences. Growing up, he introduced us to a world distant from our Northern Maine roots. He delighted in driving through the Lancaster Pennsylvania Dutch countryside exploring the region’s rich history and historical sites, teaching us about the Amish, and, of course, taking us to his favorite restaurants. Proud of his French heritage, intelligent, insightful, always happy for visitors, he was such a joy to be with and will be missed. Rest in Peace Uncle Henry.
Dave (nephew) and Sue
February 27, 2021
Dear Family and Friends of Henry,
I had the pleasure and joy of acquaintance with Henry for a number of years when we communicated and shared ideas and perspectives about life and their adventures. This was during my clinic in podiatric medicine at Garden Spot Village. He was a man of character and accomplishment and we had a commonality of association with other ag members from new holland machine who were ag engineers. I always delighted in our sharing of ideas. May he rest in pease with the epitaph, “Well done my good and blessed servant”. very sincerely, Chet laskoski
February 25, 2021
RIP dear Uncle Henry. We love you.
Emily
February 25, 2021
RIP Dear brother well deserved rest.
Germaine CYR CIRIELLO
February 25, 2021
Uncle may you rest in peace. Glenn
February 24, 2021
May you rest in peace Uncle Henry.
Debra Cyr-McGee