Henry J. Charbeneau

On May 20, 2025, Henry J. “Hank” Charbeneau went to meet the Lord after a long, well fought battle with Congestive Heart Failure and Pancreatic Cancer. Hank leaves behind his beloved Wife of 51 years Sandra “Sandy” Charbeneau (Krug), Daughters Cynthia “C.C” Charbeneau (Husband Mike Konvinski) of Savannah, GA, Christina Foster (Husband Mike Foster) of Ira Township, MI, Grandchildren Eddie, Katrina and Lily Foster, Sister Gail Rak of Sterling Heights, MI, Half-Sister Joyce Sorrese of Lake Ronkonkoma, NY, and many more cherished “Out-laws” and friends that he loved like family. Hank was born in Detroit Michigan on March 17, 1945. He grew up in Mt. Clemens, MI with 5 siblings and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School. He graduated high school in 1963 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1967, where he was stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Hank was honorably discharged with the rank of Sargent in 1971. Shortly after returning home, he met Sandy and they dated for three years before being married on April 27th, 1974, at St. Peter’s church in Mt. Clemens, MI. Their first daughter C.C. arrived in 1975. They then moved to Algonac, MI and welcomed their second daughter Christina in 1977. Hank worked for Ford Motor Company as Engineering Manager for 32 years. He traveled all over the world with Ford and always made sure to bring home treasures for his girls; Kimonos from Japan, dolls from Germany, and many other treats they loved. He received his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University in 1982. Hank’s favorite pastimes included nature photography, where he met many special friends. He and Sandy traveled all over North America in their motor home, visiting as many great photography sites as possible! He loved cool cars and had a 1924 Ford T-bucket named “Dream T”, a 1965 Shelby Cobra named “Hsss” and many others that he enjoyed going to car shows with and cruising Woodward with Sandy. Hank loved hosting friends and family for boat rides, BBQ and Margaritas! He loved to fish on the St. Clair River for walleye. He was the life of the Party! Hank never met a stranger, only new friends. His laughter was contagious, and he loved a good joke or prank. He was often caught sneaking around, wreaking havoc and would give a mischievous eyebrow lift and smile. Hank frequently laughed so hard he couldn’t stop and once even had to put himself outside in a snowbank. He was bigger than life and cherished time spent with family and friends. He and Sandy loved visiting C.C. and Mike when they lived in Northern Michigan. He called C.C. his Number 1, and she and Mike shared their mutual love of the outdoors, boating, fishing, photography, and many more adventures that they were always excited to share when they visited. Hank and Mike had a special bond with their love of anything mechanical including cars and boats. He often joked that he paid Mike a monthly allowance for taking care of his daughter. Hank and Sandy found unimaginable love when Christina and Mike gave them three grandchildren! He loved his grandchildren beyond belief. He was one proud Bapa! If you asked him, he would tell you about how exceptional each of them is. Hank loved teaching Eddie about cars and often took Katrina and Lily on Bapa dates. He attended every game, recital, concert, awards ceremony and school mass. He and mom loved meeting up with the Foster’s when they were camping, never passing up a chance to sit around the campfire and tell stories. Hank was preceded in death by his Father Amiel Charbeneau, Mother Viola (Jones) Charbeneau, Sisters Beverly (Brother-in-law Donald) Dick and June (Brother-in-law Bob) Palmer, Brothers Garth (Sister-in-law Betty) Charbeneau and Rodney Charbeneau, Sister-in-law Diane Charbeneau, and many other beloved family members. He was also preceded in death by his favorite furry companion, a Malti-Poo named “Bandit”. Hank would have wanted all who read this to know how much he cared for and loved every one of you! His abounding love goes on, and we hope you will pay his love forward. Please tell a funny story, act a little goofy, take a great photo, catch a big fish, burn some rubber, turn up the radio and have a margarita with a “Cheers” to Hank! He will be so missed by all of us. Hank’s Visitation will be Sunday May 25th from 2-8pm at Wasik Funeral Home, located at 35259 23 Mile Road in New Baltimore, MI 48047. His funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Tuesday May 27th at 11am. He will lie instate from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. The church is located at 9764 Dixie Hwy in Ira Township, MI 48023. He will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery for Veterans in Holly, MI. In the lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the University of Michigan, Rogel and Blondy Cancer Center (benefiting Pancreatic Cancer Research). The skilled doctors and nurses at UofM gave us an extra 10 years with Hank, for which we could not be more grateful. Envelopes will be provided at the visitation and funeral if needed.

Henry J. Charbeneau

March 17, 1945 - May 20, 2025