Heinz Udo Labrentz, 66, of Clearwater, FL, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at home.
I sit on the edge of the bay, the time has gone away.
You so loved the sea, so this is the place for me to be.
This bay and sea, was the one place that gave you serenity and peace, so this is the place for me to be.
I don’t know how the words will come, but God will provide them with the setting sun.
Dear Heinz, I hope you’ll now know how many people you touched, and the many people that loved you very much.
It is my prayer that you have now found peace, and that your soul is at ease.
Heinz is survived by his daughter, Heidi Cortassa, son-in-law, Franck Cortassa, granddaughter, `Eva Cortassa, beloved life partner, Cheryl Fletcher. A sister, Gita Labrentz, brother, Guenter Gramms, and many nieces and nephews.
Heinz immigrated with his family from Germany at 13 years old. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, he found his passion and began working on boats. He went on to become an incredibly talented boat and yacht builder. His talent with wood work and carpentry was innate.
He worked for many boat companies throughout his lifetime, building yachts, sport boats and mega fishing yachts. Many of which are still aloft today.
Heinz’s hobbies included reading, gardening, carpentry, boating, sailing, camping, hunting, learning, and he was always quick with a joke.
Please sign the registry below.
Heinz I miss you so much. Only you know how much. I will always love you
Heinz you were a very good neighbor,you had a lot of feeling for all,loved people,and loved to talk about a lot of things.we will miss you much,Rest in Peace my Friend,
Hi Cheryl,
I thought since you have known Heinz for a long time you may want to write a little note.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Fletcher
his life partener
Mein geliebter Heinz,
Your and my childhood belonged to us both. We shared the first thirteen years in Northern Germany, ran through the “Schlucht” next to our home in Hitzacker,disappeared for hours during the day–and were never missed nor worried about. We played hide and seek in the graveyard, guarded goats, chickens and even a cow for a short while. We learned how to defeather a chicken for cooking, how to till the land for seeding the new harvest and how to select the proper mushrooms in the forest. In the fall, we picked wild blueberries and harvested gooseberries in late summer. We laughed, squeeled, told each other and a dozen village children endless stories and learned to swim in the local rivers.
I lost you the first time when you chose to enlist in the war in Vietnam. You were young and tender and wanted to escape–mostly from yourself in the attempt to find yourself. I’ve missed you much over the next forty plus years that followed your return from Vietnam…I missed your insightful humor about life’s paradoxes the last decade. I want to meet you again the next time around, please? Continue to be loved and trust in your return. Your sister Brigitte
I worked with Heinz for several years. We usually ate lunch together. Heinz was always quick with a joke and had a great sense of humor. He was also a very intellegent guy; someone you could converse with about any subject. When things were tough his attitude would make them easier to bear. But mostly, we had a lot of fun. Heinz, you’ll be missed!
Bob
I worked with Heinz in the late 80’s and early 90’s in Maryland. We formed a friendship and shared our love of building boats. He taught me so much about the industry and made even the dirty work fun! It was a joy to know him and work with him. We connected a few times when he moved back to FL and I visited him. He invited me into his home like I was family.
The one common theme about people that knew him was that he always made you laugh. I have never met anyone else like him in the last 20 years. He was one-of-a-kind. I will never forget some of the jokes and stories he told me.
Hello Heinz,
I really miss you. Sometimes I forget you are gone. I rush home to tell you something thay happened ay work and you are not here. I still cry a lot. I am trying to cope. You went to early in life. I hope you are finally at peace and love yourself. You were a smart kind and funny man. I will always miss and love you. XOXOXO Guess who?
Hello Heinz,
I really miss you. Sometimes I forget you are gone. I rush home to tell you something thay happened ay work and you are not here. I still cry a lot. I am trying to cope. You went to early in life. I hope you are finally at peace and love yourself. You were a smart kind and funny man. I will always miss and love you. XOXOXO Guess who?
Hey Dad,
You’ve been busy upstairs! I can hear your voice and your laughter. I miss you.
Forever, Your Daughter. xoxoxo
We lost touch with Heinz a long time ago. What a trip he was!! His picture here tempers the sadness of hearing about his passing. Lot a great memories.
Going through past memories and photos, I was wondering what happened to the Labrentz family. I totally lost communication after 1973. While Heinz was in the service, several of us college girls, at the family church, wrote letters to the service men,he was one of them. His correspondence revealed that this guy “was brilliant.”
In the latter ’60s I saw his handiwork on an inlay table he was working. Glad he continued his woodworking skill. So sorry his life was too short but delighted he had Cheryl at his side.
Sharon Cloud Evans
Dear Dad,
It has been 11 years since you passed.
I have thought about you often, over the last month. But last night I Felt Your Presence, for the first time in Many years. You Were Here.
Miss You. Love You.
I worked with Heinz at three different boat builders in the 60s and 70s. Such a great guy. Just found out he was gone. Rest in peace, Heinz.
8/22/2023
Dear Dad,
Just wanted to let you know that I have been thinking of you lately.
I have felt your presence on more than one occasion, in the past year.
You still have not lost your sense of humor!
Love You. Hope Your Doing Well.
Heidi