Obituary of Henry Leboda

Henry “Hank” P. Leboda, retired Plant Manager and Vice President of Operations at Sweet Heart Plastics in Wilmington passed away on Sunday evening, June 10, 2012. He was 82 years old. Hank was born in Worcester, the son of Polish immigrants, the late Lawrence and Angela Kludtka. He grew up in Worcester and Leicester, MA. Hank enlisted in the Marines to fight in the Korean War. He fought in one of the deadliest and harshest battles of the Korean War, The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. The brutal battle lasted 17 day battle in freezing weather. Thirty Thousand United Nations troops (nicknamed &quote;The Chosin Few&quote;) under the command of Major General Edward Almond were encircled by approximately 67,000[7] Chinese troops. Although the Chinese troops managed to surround and outnumber the UN forces, the UN forces broke out of the encirclement while inflicting crippling losses on the Chinese. Hank showed incredible courage and selflessness. Hank personally received a citation from Major General G.C. Thomas in which he wrote “Private First Class, Leboda displayed outstanding courage and initiative in the performance of his duties. When he observed two wounded Marines lying in an exposed position forward of friendly lines under intense automatic weapons and small arms fire, he unhesitant and with complete disregard for his personal safety charged across the fire swept ground and succeeded in dragging them to safety. His selflessness and heroic actions were an inspiration to all who observed him. He was subsequently wounded in the fighting and airlifted to a MASH unit. He humbly refused a Purple Heart Citation, but was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 Bronze Star. After the War, Hank went to East Coast Aero Tech to earn his degree. He went to work at Sekworsky Aircraft in Connecticut for a number of years before returning to Massachusetts to take on a position at Sweet Heart Plastics. He worked at Sweet Heart Plastics for 32 years, starting as a machine operator and working his way to Plant Manager and Vice President of Operations. Hank’s strong work ethic, humble demeanor, and genuine personality made him the perfect employee and boss. Outside of work, Hank’s life revolved around his family, home, and church. He enjoyed working around his home, maintaining his yard, and making his own auto repairs. He was an assistant Babe Ruth Baseball Coach. He was a proud and supportive father, who wished to instill his values of devotion to family, friends, strong character and high moral standards. He was truly a man a son and daughter would seek to emulate. Hank was the beloved husband of Jane “Skippy” (Ahearn) Leboda. He was the loving father of Jane Anne Leboda of Dallas TX, Paul Leboda & his wife Sarah Velasquez of Dallas, TX, and the late Lawrence Leboda. Grandfather of Claire Velasquez of Dallas, TX. Brother of Helen O’Loughlin of Worcester, Kate McCarthy of Oxford, the late Dorothy Leboda, Genevieve Maznick, Virginia Ann Maylott, Stanley and Edward Leboda. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Saturday, June 16 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s’ Church, at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-7 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Hank’s name may be made to the St. Malachy’s Memorial Fund, 99 Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803.