Henry Joseph Veilleux

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Henry Joseph Veilleux (“Hank” to his closest friends) was born to the late Ernest and Bernadette Veilleux in Waterville, Maine on Dec. 22, 1940. He was an early Christmas present to an eager mom and dad. Most of Henry’s working life was spent immersed in the blessings and challenges serving as school principal in Wilton, Maine, a town he loved both for its tightknit community, as well as its hidden gem, Wilson Lake Country Club, which he frequented in the warmer months of the year. In the colder months, Henry could be found on neighboring Wilson Lake, typically with a sack full of ice fishing traps, bait and a baloney sandwich, and he never returned home empty-handed.If you asked a hundred people who Henry Veilleux was, they’d all give you a different story. A golf shark to those at Wilson Lake. A superhero to the kids at Wilton Academy. The hardest working man in the world to his coworkers. A mastermind head coach to the Wilton Cubs little league team, which during Henry’s reign frequented the local little league world series. A master sailor. And a loving father and grandfather to his children and grandkids. Henry was also a storyteller, and it’s no surprise that he featured as the hero of most of his tales. Whether it was the whimsical five-iron into #2 at Wilson Lake from the back tees, the eight-pound salmon caught on a regular trip down the West Branch of the Penobscot River, or the rogue bear that attacked camp while Henry and his good friend Roland were sleeping, the stories were as fantastic as he was – colorful, vibrant, and full of life.Henry had time to consider his obituary. In his final memo to those that knew him, he asked that you to remember this last message: keep telling stories. It is our stories that connect us and unite us, and it is through our stories that we can change the world. Henry is survived by his son Jeremy Veilleux; his daughters Jocelin Snow and Jenny Veilleux; his grandsons Brandon and Ryan Veilleux; his brother Roger Veilleux; his sisters Corinne Whitney and Elaine Hoag; all respective spouses and families, and many lifelong friends. The family wants to thank Harbor Chase of Villages Crossing, and Cornerstone Hospice, for the brilliant care provided by truly wonderful people.A celebration of Henry’s life will be held for close family in Waterville, Maine. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the American Heart Association in memory of Henry.