Mar. 2, 2004 – Henry Wazny, one of the brighter lights of St. Thomas society in the '50s and '60s, died at his home in Vero Beach, Fla., Saturday. He was 86.
Wazny and his daughter, Jacqueline Wazny, moved from St. Thomas to Florida in 1998. With his wife, Helen, Wazny moved to St. Thomas from New York in 1946. They ran the Villa Santana Guest House and later opened the popular Magic Lamp restaurant in Beretta Center in downtown Charlotte Amalie. In the late '60s, they bought Casa Venegas, a Main Street gift shop, from Dr. Leopold Venegas. It was later sold to Little Switzerland.
In 1972 the Waznys moved to France, where they lived until Helen's death in 1987, after which Wazny returned to live with his daughter in The Genie in Estate Crown and Hawk, his home in St. Thomas.
Wazny had a wide circle of friends – including the late Judge Louis Hoffman – who enjoyed his warmth and wit. Wazny also had a vast repertoire of stories, which he would recount at a moment's notice. It is said that with a little encouragement, he would sing the songs of his youth or tell jokes from any given era.
He was also an active member of the Garden Club for Men.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests individuals send a donation to an organization dear to Wazny's heart, The Fresh Air Fund, which helps disadvantaged children. The address is: Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Ave, 14th Floor, NYC, NY 10017.
Funeral arrangements are by Indian River Cremation Inc. in Vero Beach. No services are scheduled.
Wazny is survived by his daughter, Jacqueline, and brothers John Wazny of Yonkers, N.Y., and Ed Wazny of Albany, N.Y.