Obituary of Henry George Bridges

Hank Bridges, 77, of Bay City, Michigan, passed away on January 31, 2024, in hospice care at McLaren Bay Medical Center, Bay City Michigan. He was born on August 24, 1947, in Bay City, Michigan.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin Bridges & Theresa (Nowicki); his sister, Arlene Bridges and his brother, Lester Bridges.

Hank, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandra (Sandi) Jean Bridges (Kelpinski) of Bay City, Michigan; and their two daughters, Rebecca (Becky) and her husband Jeremy Staples of St. Clair County, Alabama, and Suzanna “Sue” Bridges & Bill Green of Saginaw, Michigan; and two granddaughters, Lauren Anne (Staples) and her husband Chase Warren, and Grace Kelly Staples.

Hank was a Vietnam Veteran (Brown Water Navy) and served onboard the USS Madera County (LST-905) "Any Beach in the World." Hank did not wait to be drafted; he enlisted on his own in November 1965 & was honorably discharged in May 1969. He was very proud to have served, and he loved the United States of America.

Hank was an extremely hard worker- He believed in work, hard work. One of his favorite quotes was from another Henry, Henry Ford: " Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." After the Navy, Hank went to work onboard freighters on Michigan's Great Lakes as a Merchant Marine. Hank then went to work at several local manufacturing plants: starting at Prestolite, in Bay City where he worked his way up to shift supervisor, onto Saginaw & Thomson Ball Screw Company, & finally retired as Inspection Superintendent at Grede Foundries in Vassar.

Years after he retired, Hank was a creature of habit; after working so many 2nd & 3rd shifts- his sleep schedule was different than most. His family would often wake in the middle of the night to Hank in the kitchen frying fish or making eggs. He believed that the early bird gets the worm and never liked to sleep in.

Hank always loved the outdoors and being outside whether it was sitting in his backyard on a summer evening, walking one of his beloved rescue dogs Gus or Max on the Rail Trail, or in his younger days hunting for whitetail deer or even ice fishing. Hank always loved the water & owned a few boats in his lifetime- to get out onto the Saginaw River or Bay where he spent much of his youth. Hank was an AVID runner in his 20s- running 5ks almost every weekend for years during late summer & fall, completing the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Physical fitness was always very important to Hank- he had multiple pieces of gym equipment & free weights, which he used weekly for decades.

Hank was a sports fan: he loved all teams from Michigan fiercely but was, above all, a true Honolulu Blue Detroit Lions Fan. He loved to give fun and weird gifts, to make goofy faces in pictures, and was known by all for cracking jokes and his big laugh. Hank was an extremely proud and private man, who did not like to ask for help with anything. He was very proud of his two daughters: Becky and Sue, and he adored his two granddaughters: Lauren Anne & Grace Kelly. Hank & his beloved wife, Sandi, shared many special memories & traveled to many places. Hank and his family worshipped at St. Hyacinth's in Bay City. A celebration of life for Hank will be held at a later date.

In memory of Hank, the family kindly requests that any memorial contributions may be considered to the wishes of the family.

May the memories of Hank Bridges live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Fair Winds & Following Seas.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.

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