East Aurora Advertiser

Obituary: Dale Lincoln Leroy Hettrich, Sr., Cherished Father and Brother, Man With Golden Heart


Dale Lincoln Leroy Hettrich, Sr.

Feb. 20, 1963-Feb. 2, 2021

Dale Lincoln Leroy Hettrich, Sr. of New Haven, Conn. died on Tuesday, February 2, while in rehabilitation care. He was 57.

He was born on Feb. 20, 1963, the son of the late E. Daniel and Dolly Hettrich.

Mr. Hettrich is survived by his four children Dale Jr., Justin, Timothy, and Hope; and siblings Dru Hites, Darcy, Edgar Daniel (Karen), David (Catherine), Dawn, Dena (Mark) Liberman, Devon (Steve) Cooper, and Dirk. 

Also, forever deeply in Mr. Hettrich’s heart was a daughter who was never born to life, Brittney.

The many people who knew and loved Mr. Hettrich cannot be listed. His love was endless.

Mr. Hettrich was born in Virginia, grew up in Holland and East Aurora, and lived in Connecticut from age 18 to his passing. He attended East Aurora High School and Xavier High School in Middletown, Conn. Forever considered a Buffalo native, his home and his huge heart were in Connecticut. Besides the infinite love in his heart that he gave freely to all, there is one message that Mr. Hettrich would give everyone: Go BILLS!

Mr. Hettrich was a loving, bright and intelligent person who attracted all in his presence. He suffered a traumatic brain injury at age 17 just before moving to Connecticut. He spent his recovery and rehabilitation in what was then a strange land. Although he had a nearly brilliant mind, the accident changed him and he did not pursue college. The constant headaches drove him to manual work rather than the intellectual challenges that caused his pain. 

Mr. Hettrich was a hard worker and maintained a career in carpentry and home improvement. He worked for numerous companies and founded Hettrich Home Improvement, Inc.

His family often reflects on Mr. Hettrich’s constant golden heart of kindness, charity, and love. They say when he walked into any room it stopped as if a good mood had suddenly settled in. He was the kind of person who not only could but would, bring out the best of any situation or the best in any person. The effect he had on those around him was profoundly positive and lasting in so many ways. 

Through all of these years, Mr. Hettrich suffered from alcoholism. He slowly lost his long battle with the disease over the course of these last 15 years, and it was the main cause of his demise. His family shares that Mr. Hettrich would have given away everything he had if someone else was in need, but he just could not help himself. They believe his weakened condition from the many years of dependency finally failed him, and God brought his shining light, now devoid of the disease, to heaven where it belongs.

Services for Mr. Hettrich will be held at the pavilion on Gulf Beach in Milford, Conn. on Sun.,  July 11,  at 6:30 p.m. 

Mr. Hettrich’s family would like to thank the HealthCare workers of all rehabilitation facilities such as the one in which he spent his last days, who rendered care during the Covid pandemic, which has caused so much pain for so many people. You will forever be in the family’s prayers.

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