Worcester, MA/Greenfield, NH-Henry Joseph Ciborowski, of Greenfield, NH and formerly of Worcester, MA passed away peacefully February 6, just short of his 90th birthday with his family by his side. He was predeceased by his wife, Elaine (Marmurowski) Ciborowski, in 2012. He leaves his daughters Kim M. Ciborowski of North Hampton, NH and Gail Ferreira of Westford, MA; son Mark Ciborowski of Concord, NH; and grandson Glenn Ferreira of Newark, DE.
Born in Worcester, he was the only child of Jacob and Stella (Jankowski) Ciborowski. He graduated from Classical High School and then served in the Navy in WWII. He studied to be a Naval Aviator at Williams College and later earned a private pilot's license. After the war he attended Becker College and then Clark University, where he graduated in Business and Economics in 1950. He forged lifelong friendships with his Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers, and met Elaine, who became the love of his life and his vibrant wife for nearly 60 years. Elaine had also graduated from Classical, and she and Henry annually organized and attended Classical and Clark reunions, sharing their home with visiting classmates.
Henry loved Worcester, especially its institutions and history. He continued his involvement with Becker and Clark and became a lifelong supporter of both schools. He was a past President of the Clark Alumni Association who honored him with a distinguished service award, and served on the university's presidential search committee. He found, acquired, and then donated to Clark the original Jonas Clark Tower clockworks. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Becker College.
The Ciborowski Insurance Agency became the focus of his attention for over half a century, serving Worcester's Polish community and subsequent immigrants to the city. He was a member of the Board of Directors for Mechanics Bank and founding Director of People's Bank of Worcester. Henry was very involved in local government, managing and assisting with campaigns for numerous local candidates. Passionate about Republican politics, he served on the Worcester Republican City Committee for many years. He always had a good political joke or story that made everyone chuckle, even if they did not agree politically.
Henry served on the boards of trustees of various Worcester institutions, including the Higgins Armory and the Worcester Art Museum, assisting in their growth and ultimate merger. He was active in establishing Tower Hill Botanic Garden, restoring Hanover Theatre and Mechanics Hall, and founding Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Sanctuary. Henry was a Director of the Friends of Hope Cemetery, a Corporator of the Worcester Historical Museum, and an Overseer at Old Sturbridge Village. He was past president of the Bohemians Club, and a member of the Worcester Club, the Worcester Economics Club, and the Hudson Hoagland Society.
With his love of history also came a love for architecture. He frequently visited Concord, NH where his son Mark is restoring historic buildings originally purchased by Henry’s father Jacob. As part of one restoration, Henry found at auction and brought to Concord the existing bar and back bar at The Barley House. He built a beautiful herringbone driveway at his home from old Worcester sidewalk bricks. An avid antique collector, he was always seeking a new Worcester item for his vast collection of souvenirs, books, and postcards. Henry loved the old diners made by the Worcester Lunch Car Company and was able to donate one to Preservation Worcester, who used it as an Arts Worcester information and ticket booth. He regularly attended performances at Mechanics Hall, Hanover and Foothills Theatre, along with listening to weekend jazz matinees on WICN. He enjoyed family trips outdoors, hiking up Mt. Wachusett, snowshoeing, bird watching, and summering with family and friends on a Hopkinton lake and Rye Harbor, NH. He also relished a number of extended family adventures, going to Costa Rica to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary and touring Elaine's roots in Brooklyn.
His smile, humor, and generosity will always be remembered by his friends, who will miss his political jokes, his passion for Worcester, and his willingness to help with anything.
Calling hours will be Feb 21st from 2-6PM at Callahan-Fay and Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St, Worcester. Funeral will be Monday Feb 22nd at 10AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 353 Grove St, Worcester with burial at Notre Dame Cemetery. The family is hosting lunch afterward at the Worcester Club, 1 Oak St. As part of the reception, the family would like to memorialize any stories or anecdotes that you may wish to share about Henry.
The family would like to express its sincere gratitude for the amazing care and compassion Henry received from the staff during his time at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Clark University, the Worcester Art Museum, or Worcester Historical Museum.