Henry West Crosby

Henry West Crosby of Brattleboro died on October 2, 2012, at Thompson House from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Born November 27, 1921, son of Henry Scoval Crosby and Florence Adelaide West Crosby, Henry was married for seventy years to Thelma Anderson Crosby who died on June 19, 2011. A descendant of Captain John Stanley, a founder of Hartford and New Britain CT, Henry grew up in Stratford and East Haven, CT. Henry and Thelma lived for a number of years in Stamford, CT before moving to Hinsdale, NH in 1951 and to Brattleboro in 1966.
A born salesman, Henry worked to improve the lives of people in his communities and the state. For many years, he was a real estate agent in the region and especially delighted in helping families find homes. He also served as assistant to the presidents of Marlboro College and of Windham College, worked for Connecticut General and Allstate insurance companies and after serving in the US Navy in World War II, developed a company that provided new business machines to corporations and distributed their older machines to schools and other organizations.
Henry was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and a 50-year member of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. Governors Salmon, Kunin and Dean all appointed Henry to positions in which he served Vermont including the State Board of Medical Practice where he was the consumer member, the Board of Professional Engineers and the Real Estate Commission.
For the past six years, Henry resided at Thompson House where he enjoyed life greatly, especially the many musical events. Prior to moving to Thompson House, Henry was very pleased to participate in research about Alzheimer's and in the training of physicians to treat others with this disease. The Crosby family thanks the staff members and caregivers at Thompson House for their loving care and the many others in the community who enriched Henry's life as well as his family's life. Henry's love of children, his family, his country and zest for life will long be remembered.
Additionally, the Crosby family gives heartfelt thanks to Dr. Timothy Shafer, Lawrence Earle, Wendy Stebbins and Brenda Damon who have been steadfast in their professional and personal care of both Henry and Thelma over the last decade.
Henry is survived by his brother Norman of Orlando, FL and by his and Thelma's daughters and their families: Jeanie Crosby and Cynthia Baldwin of Brattleboro, Laurie and Robert Chiperfield of Brattleboro and Lake Worth, FL and Martha and Ronald Tompkins of Lighthouse Point, FL; grandchildren Robert (Pamela) and Andrew (Julia) Chiperfield and Matthew (Janine) and Sarah Tompkins; and great-grandchildren Wesley and Marilyn Flanders, Alexis Tompkins, Robert, Claire and Tyler Chiperfield, Henry, Isabel, and Andrew Chiperfield, Abigail and Jacob Tompkins and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services for family and friends will be held at Meeting House Hill Cemetery on Friday, October 5 at 12 noon. Memorial contributions may be made to the activities fund at Thompson House, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to the VT Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495. Arrangments are under the care of Ker-Westerlund Funeral home .