Henry William Brandt

Henry William Brandt, resident of Leland, NC passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, NC. He was 84 years old.

Henry was born on May 28, 1937 to Helmi Laukkanen and Woitto Brandt in Fitchburg, MA. In 1959, he married the love of his life, Martha Mattila, from Fitchburg, MA.

Henry obtained a bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worchester Technical School in Worchester, MA. After graduation he moved his wife and two children, Donna and William, to New York for his first challenging job, working in a missile silo during the Cuban missile crisis. Their third child, Lisa, was born in New York before moving to California. Several moves later, the Brandt family moved to Nevada where he worked with the government on assorted nuclear rocket projects. Their third daughter, Dianna was born in Las Vegas.

Henry might have been one of the first home “fixer uppers.” Every move meant new opportunities to teach his children how to tile floors, lay pavers, mix cement, build stone fences, build decks and finally a cabin in Somerset, PA. Henry taught his children the value of hard work and having pride in quality workmanship.

Henry also loved to fish. Every vacation centered around water and fishing. Other lifelong interests included bowling, coaching little league baseball and riding motorcycles.

Throughout his life, Henry believed in helping and supporting people from all walks of life. In the 70’s, Henry and Martha, with help from the Lutheran Church, sponsored a family from Vietnam. This experience provided his children an opportunity to learn about the struggles of others and to reach out with compassion and love.

Henry is survived by his children, William Brandt, Lisa Brandt and Dianna Watson; grandchildren, Faith Castagner, Ashley Watson, Kelly Bridges, Helmi Breda Pessetti, Aili Breda, Kai Crum, and Samuel Plaisance.

Henry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Martha; daughter, Donna Bridges; and granddaughter, Danielle Marie Welch.

Henry will be greatly missed.

Henry’s family request any donations in his memory be sent to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, NC at lifecare.org.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall above.

Quinn McGowen Funeral Home – Wilmington

910-794-7171

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