Henry Krasucki Jr., 86, remembered for decades of service in Wolcott

Henry Krasucki Jr., a retired state police sergeant who later served as a Wolcott justice and Wayne County’s STOP-DWI coordinator, died Nov. 11 after an illness with cancer. He was 86.

Known as Hank, Krasucki spent much of his police career in Wolcott and remained close to fellow troopers after retirement, according to his obituary in the Times of Wayne County.

Krasucki was born Aug. 31, 1940, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, to Henry Krasucki Sr. and Helen Baranowski Krasucki. After graduating from Nanticoke High School, he served in the Army Reserve. His early work in New York City included cooking, selling insurance and driving long-distance buses before he returned to Pennsylvania.

He and Janet Ostroski married July 3, 1965, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Nanticoke. Their family grew to include daughters Jessica and Janelle, and they settled in Wolcott.

After completing the state police academy in 1967, Krasucki served primarily in Wolcott. He retired in 1990 as a sergeant and station commander. His subsequent public service included more than 17 years coordinating Wayne County’s STOP-DWI program and multiple terms as justice for both the town and village of Wolcott.

His interests included hunting, golf and following the Buffalo Bills as a season-ticket holder. Family memories included trips to historic destinations, camping in Quebec, backyard fish fries and Christmas Eve gatherings after midnight Mass. He also traveled with his longtime partner, Mary Jo Lockwood, including visits to Alaska, Hawaii and Las Vegas, and spent time with her at their Florida home.

Krasucki maintained Polish family traditions, served as an usher with the Catholic Community of the Blessed Trinity and belonged to Wolcott Elks Lodge 1763 for more than 50 years.

Survivors include Lockwood; daughters Jessica Krasucki of Sodus and Janelle Krasucki Cooper and her husband, Todd, of Huron; granddaughters Janet Klein and her husband, Jordan, Tori Cooper and her partner, Brendon Reed, and Jordan Cooper; a great-grandson, Henry Klein; and his brother Joseph Krasucki and his wife, Betsy, of New Hampshire. He also leaves nieces, nephews and friends. His wife, Janet, died in 1995. His parents and brother Paul also died before him.

Calling hours are scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at Norton Funeral Home on New Hartford Street in Wolcott. A funeral Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Nov. 20 at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Wolcott, followed by burial in Glenside Cemetery and a celebration of his life at the Elks Club.

The family requests memorial gifts instead of flowers to the Catholic Community of the Blessed Trinity, the Oswego County SPCA at P.O. Box 442, Fulton, NY 13069, the Wayne County Humane Society or another charity chosen by the donor.

Staff Report

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