Herbert W. Wenzel: 1932-2016

Herbert W. Wenzel of Amherst, N.H., who worked as an oil deliveryman before going on to operate his own fuel oil company and a real estate company, died on Dec. 18, 2016. He was 84.

Wenzel served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. He was discharged following the death of his father. He returned to New Hampshire to run the family business, The Baboosic Lake Pavilion in Amherst. During the summertime, the pavilion hosted dances in the evenings and was a local vacation destination.

In his early 20s, Wenzel became an oil delivery driver for Crawford & Vogel Heating Oil Company. He started his own oil company, Wenzel Oil, and in 1978 he took over the oil company that had employed him as a driver to form Crawford-Vogel and Wenzel Heating Oil. He also owned and operated Herb Wenzel Real Estate in the Amherst area.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Wenzel was known for his sense of humor and loyalty. He worked tirelessly to provide for his wife and six children. A “snowbird,” Wenzel and his wife, Pauline, enjoyed winters in Marco Island, Fla., for over 30 years. He was a longtime member of the Masonic Fraternity, Bektash Shriners, and Milford Lions Club.

Born May 18, 1932, in Manchester, N.H., he was the son of Herbert G. and Frances (Wheeler) Wenzel. Raised and educated in Manchester, he was a graduate of West High School.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline (Charest) Wenzel, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage; two daughters, Debra Rodd (husband Daniel) of Amherst, Tamara Heaton (husband Gregory) of Danby, Vt.; four sons, William Wenzel (wife Jane) of Merrimack, N.H., Thomas Wenzel of Amherst, Richard Wenzel (wife Christina) of Amherst, and Michael Wenzel of Bedford, N.H.; eight grandchildren, Matthew Wenzel, Jeffrey Wenzel, Alexander Rodd, Tori Wenzel, Madison Heaton, Ashley Heaton, Brody Wenzel, and Carson Wenzel; and three cousins and surrogate siblings, Kurt Wenzel Jr., Kenny Wenzel, and Michelene Bouchard. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his aunt and uncle, Elizabeth and Kurt Wenzel Sr., who helped raise him after the passing of his mother at a young age.

This obituary was first published on the website of Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium and is republished here with permission of the family. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Herbert Wenzer’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 166 S. River Rd. #210, Bedford, N.H. 03110.