Henry Francis Mezzack

Henry Francis Mezzack, Lt. Col, United States Air Force, Ret., of Perkinsville, VT, died May 3, 2016. Devoted husband of 66 years to Emeline (nee Bak), loving father of Robert (Patricia), Janet (Nicholas), Sharon, and Linda (Robert). Preceded in death by daughter Kathleen. Survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  Lt Col. Mezzack received his bachelor of science degree in 1963 from the University of Pittsburgh. He served his country proudly for more than 26 years in the nation's Army Air Corps and United States Air Force, flying a total of 76 missions during his service in WWII and in Korea. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the second, third and fourth oak leaf cluster to the Air Medal for action in Korea. He retired from active duty on December 31, 1969 and was employed subsequently at the Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis Center in 1963 as an electrical engineer and Air Force Deputy, retiring in 1983. Henry (Hank to his friends) was an avid collector and designer of First Day covers and ran H&M Covers for over 30 years. He and Emeline traveled across the country to participate in stamp and cover trade shows.  Henry was a lifelong member of the VFW and Knights of Columbus and was a parishioner of Ascension Church in Bowie before moving to Perkinsville, Vermont, with Emeline in 2005.  He loved all sports, especially baseball, had a sharp wit and an ever present twinkle in his eye.  He will be deeply missed.  Family will receive friends at the family-owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Tuesday May 10, 2016 from 6 to 8pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Ascension Catholic Church, 12700 Lanham Severn Rd., Bowie, MD, followed by a repast at Blue Dolphin Bar & Grille, 1166 Route 3 South, Gambrills MD.  Burial at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Vermont, springfieldmed.org or the Air Force Aid Society, afas.org/mobile.