Henry H. Slominski, 96

Henry Harry (Hank) Slominski, 96, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, went to be with his creator and Lord on Sept. 14, 2015, at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston, Idaho. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 6, 1919, the son of Kazmierz Slominski and Stephania (Stella) Lukowska. He married Gustana (Ida Lucy) Trifaro on Nov. 6, 1948.

Hank graduated high school in Brooklyn, then went to work in a furniture factory. He joined the Navy soon afterward and served during World War II. He loved his country and the flag he served under. Passing that same love on to his son, Dennis. Henry was a member of the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. Later he and Ida moved to Los Angeles, Calif., with Dennis when he was 3. In California, he worked as a house painter there and among his clients were movie stars and he even worked on painting movie sets. He was a painter until his retirement, when he moved to Coeur d’Alene.

Hank enjoyed spending time with his family, especially big gatherings where he was the life of the party. He was always happy, either singing, humming or whistling. Hank was always busy and attributed that to his longevity. He painted pictures: still lifes, landscapes and even a self-portrait. He volunteered at the Sepulveda Veterans Hospital, receiving an award for completing 1,000 hours of volunteer work with the veterans.

Hank loved to fish, play cards and work on puzzles, he did woodworking, leather crafting, built model cars, planes and birdhouses. Hank loved to cook, garden and watch old black and white movies especially westerns. He spent many hours fixing and repairing bicycles and gave away many to children in the neighborhood who could not afford one. He loved to go to St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop where he would visit with the employees and find little treasures to fix something with. He was a clever and creative thinker.

He is survived by his son, Dennis Slominski and daughter-in-law Carol of Coeur d’Alene; grandson Ryan Slominski and wife Alyssa of Simi Valley, Calif.; granddaughter Deanna Green and husband Ryan of Colorado Springs, Colo.; step-grandsons Mike Szatkowski and wife Shelby Szatkowski of Coeur d‘Alene and Chris and Vikki Szatkowski of Yakima, Wash.; great-grandchildren Davis Henry Slominski and Gavin Green; step great-grandchildren Gabrielle Szatkowski of Nampa, Idaho, Chris Radke and wife Meagan of Lewiston, John Radke of Yakima, Wash., and Michael Thompson Szatkowski of Lewiston; and step great-great-grandchildren Chloe Vazquez and Daniel Radke of Yakima.

Preceded in death by his loving wife, Ida Slominski; sisters Stella Micchicae, Nellie Icobelli, Mary Bianchino and Josie Palacastro; and step grandsons Alfred P. Szatkowski and Bobby Radke.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden, Idaho. Luncheon to follow at the church and graveside service at 3 p.m. at Forest Cemetery on Government Way in Coeur d’Alene.

The family requests flowers be sent to Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden, ID 83835 on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, or in lieu of flowers, a small donation can be sent to: In Memory of Henry H. Slominski, The DAV, Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 or The DAV online at www.dav.org.