Henry Link

Throughout his rich and rewarding life, Henry Link fully embraced the days he was given while holding his loved ones near. He was never one to measure wealth according to the world’s standards, rather, he found that it is through loving and serving others that we are richly blessed. Henry was a devoted husband and loving father whose family tree blossomed to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were his greatest source of pride and joy. Although he was not overly expressive in his emotions, he was deeply sentimental and made certain that his children knew how much they were treasured. Dedicated, hardworking, and driven, Henry will be dearly missed and forever remembered.

During the vibrant days of the Roaring Twenties, technology was taking us places we had never been. Refrigerators and washing machines, motion pictures in both color and sound, and more affordable cars were among the changes that forever transformed the cultural landscape of our nation. Broadway was at its all time peak, and baseball became America’s favorite pastime thanks to greats like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. In the midst of this exciting time was the year 1925 that was filled with great joy for a young couple from Detroit, Michigan, as they were blessed with the birth of their baby boy on Christmas Day. Henry R. was the oldest of three children born to his parents, Joseph and Felicia Gertrude (Kurowski) Link, and was joined in his family by his sister, Florence, and his brother, Daniel, who sadly died at a young age.

In many ways Henry experienced a typical upbringing. By the 1930s the Great Depression has settled in, and the Link family certainly felt the effect. Henry and his father picked up coal to heat the house, and when Henry was seven they moved to Hamtramck. He helped his father raise and sell parakeets and canaries, and he also worked at his father’s pet store in Hamtramck. Henry looked forward to spending the summers at his Aunt Madeline’s dairy farm where he helped out with the workload. When he had free time he liked fishing on Lake St. Clair with his father and his Uncle John. Henry attended local schools including Hamtramck High School where he played the trumpet in the band. Henry went on to graduate in the early forties.

As a young man of 17, Henry lied about his age in order to enlist in the Army. He was a rifleman whose specialty was Rifleman 745 and qualifications included the Rifle M-1 EX. Henry belonged to 95th Infantry, 379th Infantry Regt. and was part of the campaign in Rhineland as well as part of the second wave at Normandy. In recognition of his service, he was awarded with the EAME Ribbon, Bronze Service Star, and Combat Infantry Badge. Henry suffered frozen toes and was honorably discharged on July 24th 1945.

Known for his strong work ethic, Henry made a career in the shoe industry. He started at Baker’s Shoe Store in Hamtramck in 1942 where he learned the ins and outs of the business. Henry later moved to Fashion Shoes in 1955 where he was an assistant manager. He later managed a store in Belleville beginning in 1966, often pulling 12 hour days.

Life was forever changed for Henry when he met and later married Luella May Brown in 1948 at St. Benedict Church in Highland Park, Michigan. Together they were blessed with 11 children, Greg, Connie, Dave, Joe, Danny, Kathy, Mike, Brian, Mark, the late Linda, and the late Debbie, who died as a baby. Although he worked long days, Henry was always there for dinner as they ate together as a family. He led the family by saying grace before each meal, and he made sure that there was always plenty of food to go around. Henry was a firm believer in his children receiving a higher education, and he was so proud to see them become happy and successful adults. He stressed the importance of working hard and always doing one’s best both in word and in deed, and he also demonstrated being financially responsible as he never borrowed money or paid interest. Henry was known for saying, “If you don’t have the money, do not buy it.”

Daily life in the Link home was always a bustle of activity. Vacations usually found them together as a family at “the cottage” with friends. Even though there wasn’t much extra money, they did manage to purchase the cottage on Lake Huron in Lexington, Michigan, where they all met several times a year for long periods of swimming, fishing, cooking, visiting friends, and playing cards. This was the tradition for 47 years until the present day. Fridays found as many family members as could make it gathered together to catch up on the week’s events. Holidays were special times as Thanksgiving was spent together at someone’s home to give thanks, and Christmas Eve was the traditional party for all family and friends. The house was usually so full of people that there was hardly room to move! With Henry’s birthday being on Christmas, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to him at midnight.

Despite the fact that he never missed a day of work, Henry did have time to pursue his interests in his leisure time. He spent 60 years raising birds including canaries, parakeets, and finches among many more, and he was also a longtime member of Motor City Bird Breeders and other canary clubs. Henry was an avid pinochle and solitaire player who had the uncanny ability to remember every card played. He loved sharing his interest with others, too, as he spent many hours teaching the young children how to play. Henry served as an usher at St. Priscilla Church in Livonia for several years. He loved the Detroit Tigers, classic movies, and big band music from the 1940s.

Henry Link will be remembered for his zest for life, his fun-loving spirit, and his strong work ethic, but it will be his unending devotion to his family that will be his lasting legacy. A friend of Henry’s was a friend for life, and he made the world around him so much fun, too. He was known for his disciplined personality and desire to give everything his all. Henry was an extraordinary man who will never be forgotten.

Henry’s family includes his wife, Luella; children, Greg (Mary), Connie (Paul), Dave (Jan), Joe (Roxanne), Danny (Tina), Kathy (Pat), Mike (Leanne), Brian, Mark, and the late Linda (Ron) and baby Debbie; 19 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday, 2-9 p.m. at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home 30200 Five MIle (Between Middlebelt and Merriman). Instate Saturday, 9:30 a.m. until time of mass 10 a.m. at St. Priscilla Catholic Church, 19120 Purlingbrook (North side of seven mile west of Middlebelt). Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery. You may sign the guest book prior to arriving at the funeral home.