Henry James Skonieczny

Henry Skonieczny, 82, of Plainville, passed away peacefully at home on December 22, 2025.  He will be remembered as a devoted family man, admired for his uncompromising values, strong work ethic, and faith.  Born in New Britain on April 15, 1943, to Henry and Pauline (Jakubiak) Skonieczny, he was a 1961 graduate of New Britain High School.  Receiving a four-year scholarship from The Fafnir Bearing Company where his father worked as a machinist, Henry graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1965 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a master's degree from the Rensselaer Hartford Graduate Center in 1968.  He worked for 20 years in Fafnir's Research Engineering Laboratory, followed by 2 years at SPM Instrument in Marlborough.  Henry moved on to a Senior Research Engineer position at the Torrington Company (division of Ingersoll Rand) at their Advanced Technology Center in Torrington, where he spent the next 15 years until his retirement in 2002.  His expertise in roller and ball bearings rewarded him with placement on an International Standards Organization committee responsible for bearing noise and vibration measurement.  Being one of two US representatives to the ISO committee, Henry attended meetings all over the world working to develop new industry standards.

Married to Marlene Hermonat of Torrington in 1966, Henry passed just a handful of days shy of their 59th anniversary.  Together they raised two sons in Plainville and were later able to enjoy traveling throughout Europe and Asia on most of Henry's ISO trips.  He loved the beach, vacationing on the Connecticut shore as a boy, family trips to Cape Cod and Ocean City, NJ, and quiet vacations later to Fenwick Island, Assateague Island, and The Outer Banks.  Never afraid of taking on a project around the house, Henry was an experienced DIY'er often seen working outside or in the garage every weekend.  He was fascinated by technology and its rapid changes throughout his life.  An avid sports fan, Henry cheered on every UCONN team, the Red Sox, and Patriots.  He enjoyed 50s and 60s oldies, The Beatles, Chicago, and the Moody Blues.  Henry shared his home with several well-loved dachshunds: Scooter, Heidi, Angus, Eli, as well as current grand-dog Mr. Benson.  As a longtime member of St. James Episcopal Church in Farmington, Henry served on the vestry and dedicated his time as an usher for many years.  He was also an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in New Britain for 15 years until the two churches merged and he returned to membership at St. James.

Predeceased by his parents, Henry leaves behind his loving wife Marlene; his son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Kim of Southington; his son Jonathan of Plainville; his sister Gerrie Weldon, her husband Henry, and their daughters Laura and Emily, of Brockton and Stoughton, MA; his brother-in-law Karl Hermonat, his wife Joyce, and their son Karl, of New Milford and New Hartford; in addition to numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Henry battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia for over 5 years, and the family would like to thank Dr. Giove, along with infusion nurses Heather and Karen at Starling Physicians in New Britain, for their care since his diagnosis.  In addition to recognition for the staff at Jerome Home Rehabilitation, who treated Henry after a recent hip fracture, the family would also like to thank Hartford Healthcare Hospice, and Independence at Home, who graciously ensured that his final days were comfortable.

Honoring Henry’s wishes, his life will be celebrated privately by the family after cremation.  Donations in his memory may be made to the New Britain Industrial Museum, 30 High St, New Britain www.nbindustrial.org, or to St. James Parish, 3 Mountain Rd, Farmington www.stjamesfarmington.org