After battling valiantly for 7 weeks, Henry D. Pretzman, lost the fight for his life, like so many, to
COVID, on January 18th, in Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, Florida.
Born in 1949, as the first child to Henry Q. Pretzman & Mary T. Rowlands Pretzman, he was a
1967 graduate of GAR High School. Henry enlisted in the US Army, served in VietNam and
after being honorably discharged, graduated from the West Side VoTech Electrical Program.
He married his high school sweetheart, Margie Champi, in 1970. Henry was the father of 4
children and created & operated his own electrical business for 30 yrs., H.D. Pretzman Electric,
Kingston, Pa., his 5th proudest accomplishment.
In 2009, he moved to the land of sunshine & no taxes, Clearwater, Florida. Henry always loved
fishing & appreciated the outdoors. His new life included learning photography, kayak fishing in
the blue waters & a new hobby of making fishing videos of his many ventures, some with his
sons, which were informative & fun to watch. He posted more than 200 videos, some with
more than 10,000 views & has a multitude of subscribers, as HankPretz on You Tube which is
now part of his legacy.
In his final days, he reflected that he loved his life, was ready to meet the Lord, and insisted his
children & loving family was his Best Accomplishment.
He is survived by his wife, Margie. Four children, Henry, Jr. & Natalie Smoak of Swansea, SC,
Mindy of Arlington, VA., Thomas & Fiancee, Adriana Reyes, Clearwater, Fl., and Duane &
BobbiJo Swire, Plains. 4 Grandchildren, Haley, Michael, Emma and Noah. Sisters & Husbands,
Kathy & Donald Meyers, Laurel Run, Barbara Bankus & Michael Bankus, Laurel Run, and
brother, David, wife, Jacqueline, Mt. Top. Henry was blessed with a multitude of loving neices
and nephews as well.
The funeral will be Feb. 7, 10:30, at St. Cecelia’s Catholic Church, Clearwater, Fl., followed by
internment with Military Honors, 12:30, Veterans Cemetery, Bay Pines, Fl.