Henry A. Cretella

Lincoln – Captain Henry A. Cretella, USCG (Ret.), of Lincoln, died Monday, April 11, 2016 in Emerson Hospital, Concord. He was 89.

Henry was born on September 2, 1926 in Methuen to the late Lewis and Catherine (Toscano) Cretella. His father emigrated to the United States from Naples, Italy and his mother was a US citizen whose family emigrated from Sicily. Henry was a graduate of Lawrence High School.

To his immigrant parents a good education for their children was paramount. Henry, known to many as "Hank" but to his beloved mother strictly as Henry, took full advantage of the opportunities afforded him. Blessed with a keen mind and superior intellect (earning the highest grade on the national entrance exam) he was accepted into the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1949 and after that immediately joined the fleet.

In 1956 he received a Juris Doctoris degree from Georgetown University in Washington and a Master of Law degree from George Washington University in 1965. A lifelong learner he earned a master's degree in public administration from Northeastern University in Boston in 1980.

He was admitted to the District of Columbia bar as an attorney and counsellor of the Supreme Court on February 24, 1966. Meanwhile Henry rose to the rank of captain and retired from the Coast Guard in 1979 after serving for thirty years.

During his career with the Coast Guard Henry served duty on five different cutters. His favorite duty was his time as captain of the Unimak. After retiring from the Coast Guard he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar.

Henry also worked at the headquarters of the Coast Guard in Washington where he wrote 90% of the legislation that transferred the Coast Guard from the Treasury Department into the Department of Transportation in 1967.

His last assignment was Chief of Staff of the First Coast Guard District in Boston.

Upon retirement Henry practiced admiralty law at a law firm in Boston and served as general counsel of a health service provider in Gardner. He capped off his law career as the General Counsel of the Massachusetts Welfare Department during the administration of Governor Edward King.

An accomplished sailor, Henry taught navigation at the Boston Harbor Sailing Club.

For the past twenty-eight years he was a partner and treasurer of Allegra Printing in Waltham, with his wife Ruth. Henry continued to work daily in the family business until the past month.

His hobbies included woodworking and sailing and he was an avid reader. He could finish books in less time that it took most to finish a few chapters and his carpentry skills were beyond compare . . . he was the rare guy that not only had the tools but the skill to master them too.

Henry was a member of the United States Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association, the Knights of Columbus in Cape May, New Jersey, an Honorary Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association.

Henry leaves his beloved wife, Ruth (Reed) Cretella, his children, Mark H. Cretella of Finksburg, Maryland, Stephen L. Cretella of Severna Park, Maryland, Kathy Copeland and her partner, Mitchell Bernard, of Lincoln, Laurie Fitzpatrick and her husband, Robert, of Chatham, Robert C. Copeland, Jr. and his wife, Roxana, of Framingham and Anne Marie Cretella of Laurel, Maryland; his grandchildren, Brendan, Sean and Taylor Fitzpatrick, Zachary Holihan and Robert and Scott Copeland and his siblings Mary Cretella, of Bedford, Anne Louise Cretella, of Methuen, Joseph Cretella and his wife, Norma, of Pepperell and Thomas Cretella of Saugus.

He was predeceased by his grandson, Michael Cretella.

Family and friends will honor and remember Henry's life by gathering for calling hours from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 17th in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham, and will conclude with his funeral service at 4 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Waltham Rotary Scholarship Fund, c/o Waltham Rotary Club, P.O. Box 540262, Waltham, MA 02454.