Henry J. Gretkowski of Burlington, Vt., passed away on May 16, 2025, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt.
Hank was born on March 25, 1936, in Jersey City, N.J., to John and Helen Gretkowski, who had emigrated to the U.S. from Poland prior to World War II. Growing up in a very modest setting as the son of immigrants with his brothers and sister, Hank was instilled with the values of working hard and caring for family and friends, beliefs he held for the entirety of his life and passed on to his four sons.
Despite never having played high school basketball, the reputation of his playing ability in the Jersey City men’s and youth recreational leagues led to his recruitment and eventual athletic scholarship to Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. Hank, along with his good friend and roommate Tony Nicodemo, who was also the son of immigrants from Jersey City, would go on to become two of the five “Iron Knights” on the basketball team that finished second in the nation in 1958, a significant accomplishment for the college and its fans at the time. He was later inducted into the St. Michael’s Athletic College Hall Fame. After graduating from St. Michael’s, Hank went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and upon completing his military service would eventually become a pharmaceutical representative in a career that spanned 30 years working for AH Robins, Wyeth Ayerst and Pfizer. In retirement he ran successfully for the Vermont General Assembly, serving as a state representative from 1996 to 2000.
While attending St. Michael’s College, Hank met his future wife, Elizabeth McSweeney, whose outgoing personality fit perfectly with his own, though he sometimes jokingly rued marrying into the large Irish family he called “the Mob.” They were married in 1961, and together with Liz, they raised four sons in the New North End of Burlington, where he was a faithful communicant of St. Mark Parish for more than 50 years.
Hank will be best remembered for his affable demeanor and humorous wit. A natural people person, once he met you and had gotten to know you, he would remember you for life. He was genuinely interested in everyone he met, often drawing out personal details and sharing his own in a one-of-a-kind, easygoing way. Hank had a way of making people know he was happy to see them and genuinely interested in their lives. His infectious personality was often reciprocated; if you met Hank, you often remembered him, and thus he made many friends over the years. He was simply the kind of guy people liked to be around.
Hank was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth, in 2019, and by his son David in 2018. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Adam and Edward, and his sister, Catherine. Hank is survived by his son Michael and wife Rosemary of Shelburne, Vt.; his son Stephen and wife Debbie of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and their children, Wesley, Casey and Allie; his son John of Milton, Vt.; and his daughter-in-law Stefanie Gretkowski and husband Dr. David Averill of South Burlington, Vt. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Martha Economou and husband Dean, Marilyn McSweeney, Dr. Anne Fletcher McSweeney, and Joanna Gretkowski; and brother-in-law, Edward Barry.
Hank’s family would like to thank his many friends and neighbors who supported him by bringing him a meal or simply stopping by to check on him, especially David Hartnett, who faithfully delivered Hank’s daily newspaper the past few years. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, 11 a.m., at St. Mark Catholic Church, 1251 North Ave., Burlington, VT. A private burial will be held at a later date. Services are in the care of Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home. Those wishing to make a donation in Hank’s name may do so to Katie’s Kids, 133 High St. #9, St. Albans, VT 05478.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2025.