Henry Anthony Makowski, Jr

Hank passed away peacefully Saturday,  September 8, 2018 at the Health First Hospital (Holmes Regional) in Melbourne, Fl after an extended battle with blood pressure problems and Alzheimer's.

He was born December 18, 1932 in Haverstraw, NY to parents, Henry A. Makowski, Sr., and Millicent Jones Makowski.  He graduated from Haverstraw High School in 1950 and continued to the University of Georgia, where he played on a football scholarship for the Bulldogs and graduated in 1954 with a BA in Business Administration.  While in college he was member of the ETA Chapter of Chi Phi and participated in the military program and after graduation, in June 1954 enlisted into the US Air Force.

Hank's service in the Air Force (SAC) took him to many countries as an Aircraft Commander of our largest bombers at that time, the B-47 and B-52.  In 1965 he transferred as a Maintenance Control Officer to Barksdale AFB, La.  He served at Takhli AFB in Thailand as Maintenance Control Officer for all aircraft used to fly missions in Vietnam.  In 1969 he was transferred to Yokota AFB, Japan as Wing Chief of Maintenance/Commander, returning to the US in 1973.  At Griffiss AFB, Rome NY, he was charged with the responsibility to plan, schedule, manage and control all wing maintenance resources to generate quality weapon systems and skillfully allocated the assets of five squadrons as Dep. Commander for Maintenance.   He retired as a Lt. Colonel after 20 years from Griffiss AFB, (snow country) and headed straight to warm, sunny Florida.  During his service he received his Senior Pilot Wings, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Award (1968-1973), the  AF Commendations Medal, AF Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Award.

Hank worked at Kennedy Space Center with PRC and Lockheed until he retired.  During his employment with PRC, Hank received a Letter of Commendation from NASA for his role of leadership to support STA development activities for Vandenberg AFB, Ca.,  a Certificate of appreciation from PRC for his contribution to KSC Design Engineering and the successful launch of the first Space Shuttle Orbiter, Columbia.  As Staff Specialist and Vandenberg AFB Coordinator in a single man shop for over 3 years he was awarded the Silver Snoopy for exemplary manner and professional excellence.  This is an Award by the Astronauts.

During his employment with Lockheed he was the awarded the Manned Flight Awareness Award for his continued hard work as an ICD Lead Engineer, Project Integration.  This award goes to a very small number of people.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents .  He is survived by brother Edward Joseph Makowski, Melbourne, Fl.,  his first wife, Gloria Linfante Makowski and their children Dr. Michael Makowski (Sandi) and daughter Maria Makowski Franco both of Ormond Beach, Fl.  At the time of his death he is survived by his wife of 39 years,  June Chambers Makowski and her children Keith Alan Burgess, Del City, Ok., and Jason Edward Potter, Sr. (Jenny) of Melbourne, Fl., and childhood cousin/best friend Patricia Gordon of Tappan, NY.

Hank was blessed to have five grandchildren, James Makowski (Kim), Winter Park Fl., Thomas Makowski, Ormond Beach, Fl., Ava Franco, Ormond Beach, Fl., Angelica Potter and Jason Potter,  Jr., both of Melbourne, Fl.  He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and cherished the time he spent with them.

Services for Hank will be Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Davis Seawinds Mortuary Chapel, 560 Montreal Ave, Melbourne, 32935 (Eau Gallie), Ph: 321-254-1532.

Donations may be made to  St. Jude Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tn 38105 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.