In Loving Memory of
Henry Frank Wellington Jr.

Known to all as Hank, Henry Wellington Jr. was born to Henry Wellington Sr. and Thelma Wellington on September 19, 1938 in Oakland, California. His parents had settled in Oakland, California as part of the great migration of workers moving west from the south in the early 20th century. Raised in the rich culture of his parents’ home town of New Orleans, Louisiana, he was the third brother of a family of five children, Alvin, Doris Marie, Aristede (A.J.), Henry Jr., and Linda.
He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary school in Oakland, where he accepted the Sacraments of Christ and served as an alter boy. Later he attended Saint Mary’s Catholic High School in Berkeley, where he was active in sports playing football, baseball, and his first love, basketball.
He spoke often of his consideration at that time of pursuing a life of service to Christ in the priesthood.
He graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in 1957, with honors after displaying a talent for architecture and draftsmanship.
He soon married his High School sweetheart, Irma Martinez, and they were blessed with two children; Rhonda Marie, and Henry III.
As a young man Hank worked for the East Bay Municipal Utility District as a draftsman and kept alive his love of sports, playing in several evening basketball leagues, as well as becoming a respected local basketball official. He refereed CYO, and local high school and college games for many years, meeting folks along the way who would remain lifelong friends. He was proud to have his “wingman” Henry III, tag along and find a spot in the stands to watch the games.
He continued his studies, often taking night classes at Merritt College on old Grove St., and eventually earned a Bachelors degree from U.C. Berkeley in Business Administration. In keeping with the deep rooted tradition of service instilled early on, he worked as a business consultant specializing in the creation of Minority owned business enterprises. He worked for the West Oakland Community Development Corporation and later for NACA (the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America). In between he grew his love of all things jazz, and worked for Pacific Stereo as a salesman. He also dabbled with entrepreneurship, starting a plant lease company with his good friend Martin White, thus “planting the seed” for his love of gardening.
Later he went into the real estate mortgage business, operating Wellington Mortgage Finance for nearly 30 years. He was a wine connoisseur, collector, and eventually producer, making a particularly potent Harper Street Cellars Zinfandel.
He was a sharp wit with a near photographic memory, who prided himself as being “just a regular guy, a good guy to know”. He loved a good late night poker game, as his friends from his satellite office, The Oaks Club, can attest. Hank loved his garden. He grew beautiful plants that inspired his neighbors to follow suit, often tapping into his expertise for tips.
His greatest love was for his children. He was aglow when he spoke of his daughter and her never failing devotion to him and her mother. His son held a special place in his heart, since he also lived a life of service as a career Police Officer.
Hank endured years of failing heath with optimism and persistence. He rarely complained, instead he tried to visit a rather lengthy bucket list of golf courses. His favorites were Bandon Dunes in Oregon, and the Las Vegas courses he played annually with friends from around the country.
He was a kind and gentle spirit, who despite his own challenges with fourteen plus years of dialysis, always asked first, “How are you doing?”
He is preceded in death by his father Henry Sr., his mother Thelma Margret, his brothers Alvin, and Aristede (A.J.). He is survived by his children, Rhonda Marie Wellington, and Henry Wellington III, his sisters Doris Marie Thatcher, and Linda Crittondon, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
He was called home on October 25th 2017, peacefully, while tending his beloved garden. As an avid golfer and gardener, he never missed an opportunity to be outdoors, enjoying the sunshine…we will cherish that memory.