Henry Cwieka, 79, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, August 3, 2018 at Silver City Care Center.

He was born June 5, 1939 in Chicago, IL to John and Josephine Holda Cwieka.

Henry was born to parents who immigrated from Poland.

In the third grade, one of the nuns in his school told his parents that he should take lessons to play the clarinet. By the age of thirteen Henry was playing the clarinet and the alto saxophone professionally. He had a very good teacher, a clarinet soloist for the Chicago Symphony. When it came time to go to high school, Henry chose to attend an all-boy’s school with a 110-piece concert band. His clarinet teacher affected his life in more ways than music. Henry had not planned to attend college; but his teacher managed to secure five scholarships for him. He selected NMSU from schools throughout the country.

During summer breaks he would undergo Marine officer’s training in Quantico, VA. He graduated from college as a 2nd Lieutenant and from Quantico as a Marine Corps Aviator.

Like many young men of his generation, Henry’s first military duties were in Vietnam. Returning from a 13-month stint there, he completed his seven years of duty as an aide to a major general.

When he left the Marine Corps in 1969 he wanted to return to Silver City, so he joined Ingersoll-Rand, a manufacturing company which made heavy equipment for the construction and mining industry. Instead of Silver City, they sent him to New York, Santiago, Chili; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Caracas, Venezuela; and Mexico City, Mexico.

Henry moved to the Silver City area in July 1997. He was active in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Silver City Rotary Club, Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street project.

He received a business degree with a major in real estate from El Camino College in Torrance, CA. He earned his real estate broker’s license in CA in 1996 and in New Mexico in 1999. While in California he worked as an appraiser in the Los Angeles County assessor’s office and also worked in property management and as a mortgage banker. He worked as a mortgage banker in Silver City until his recent move to Smith Real Estate.

Mr. Cwieka is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth M. Baxter and fiancé Shay Bjorkman; Michelle Micaela McCraner; four grandchildren, Haley Anne Baxter, Jacob Nolan Baxter, Franklin Bowie and Valencia Moon McCraner; two sister-in-laws, Karen and Polly Hughes.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Graveside service will be celebrated on Friday, August 10 at 11 a.m. at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with full military honors with Deacon Bill Holguin officiating.

Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory.

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777.

To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.