Henry Frank Wentz

Henry Wentz, 91, entered into rest on Wednesday, October 25, 2017.

Henry was born on November 19, 1925 in New York, New York to the late Frank and Marjorie Brighte Wentz. With pride and honor, he served his country in the United States Air Force receiving honorable discharge on May 2, 1946. During his military career, he received his military education from the Army Air Forces Technical Schools located in Fort Knox, Kentucky and McDill Field, Florida where he studied operation and maintenance of light trucks and instruction as a construction foreman. His military qualifications included sharpshooter carbine and he received the World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. Henry retired from the Ford Motor Company in December 1980 where he worked as an assembler. Henry’s greatest passions was his music. He performed with the Al Moreno Cuban Orchestra from 1956 to 1959, along with the bands of Machito, Concepcion, Pucho, and Tito Rodriguez. He was also a member of the Dick Searcy Orchestra from 1958 to 1962. Henry organized and led the Voyagers, a sextet, from 1960 to 1967, contracting music entertainment for dances and social events. He was Chairman of the Entertainment Committee, servicing events for 4,500 members of the United Auto Workers, in the New Jersey area from 1968 to 1970. A native from New York City, Henry earned a Bachelor of Science degree from C.U.N.Y. Lehman College in 1985. He has taught music and theory at Christ Lutheran School, in Rosedale, New York, from 1986 through 1989. He stopped teaching in 2013 when he left New York. Henry was a member of the Something Special Orchestra beginning in 1982, performing at concerts, dances, park events, libraries, and churches, throughout the tri-state area. Henry has recorded a selection of tapes and compact discs. He has performed with many recognized artists in jazz, such as Valerie Capers, C.I. Williams, Mal Waldron, Frank Foster, Clark Terry, Curly Russell, Ernie Wilkins, Peck Morrison, Hank Edmunds, Gwen Cleveland, Bross Townsend and many others. Henry was the director of music activities Creative Jazz Organization, presenting concerts at Carmichaels and later moved on to Manhattan proper every Wednesday night, and throughout the Queens area during the year.

Henry is preceded in death by his wife, Yulonne Wentz and daughter, Val Brenihan.

His memory will forever be treasured by his children, Nina Panton (Bradley), Craig Bresnihan (Lisa), Bryan Bresnihan and Terrance Bresnihan; grandchildren, Brittany Panton, Elijah Panton, Jade Bresnihan, Anthony Fragiacomo, Kristina Bresnihan, Yulonne Bresnihan, Bryan Bresnihan, II and Jasmine Bresnihan and great grandchildren, Reyn, Stacy, Azaii, Zane Draelynn and Christopher.

Visitation will be Monday, October 30, 2017, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home with funeral services immediately following in the chapel.

If You Wait

If you should wait, then meet me in the world where time is nil, where meadows are green and mountains high with crystal clear view - where love, like the soul is free, understood and accepted for its worth.

If you should wait, I beg you, throw away time. The essence of it is only in tomorrow, and tomorrow is the essence of time. Be still my love, for it is not yet at our fingertips.

If you should wait, then hold my love 'til the cities crumble and many men cease to be what they are. When we ourselves no longer seek the satisfaction of self, but rather the self for satisfaction.

If you should wait my love, for love - then you shall find it. For once you have found something or someone worth waiting for, then you are starting to find God, and truly at the end of the road, I shall be there waiting.

Profit by my mistakes and hold dear the things that you felt I suceeded in. Light your childrens' candles, watch them grow bright. And even as theirs begin to dim, have faith that they too will grow in mind and spirit to enlighten yet another.

Don't ever let the light of love, hope, harmony, and family ever, ever dim. Keep it lit for you, yours, and those yet to be.

~Cuca~

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with Mr. Wentz's arrangements.