Henry T. Wilson, a public relations and fund- raising executive in the New England health care field, died peacefully at home, on October 18, 2017. He was 91. A resident of Woburn, MA since 1998, he resided in Winchester, North Reading and Concord, MA during the previous 31 years.
In Boston, during a 20-year span beginning in 1967, he was the Director of Development for the Tufts Medical Center Hospitals and Director of Public Relations for Tufts Medical Center which included Tufts University’s health science schools and the hospitals. Before coming to Boston, Wilson was the first Director of Development for the Danbury (CT) Hospital, where he promoted a permanent program of annual giving for that institution, replacing the periodic, short-term fund raising campaigns in vogue at the time, at hospitals throughout the country.
Wilson was a founder of the New England Association for Hospital Developments and Vice- president of the National Association for Hospital Development. Wilson held memberships in a number of professional fund-raising and public- relations organizations and was a member of the corporation of the Winchester Hospital.
Prior to his hospital and medical center work, he was associated with New Hampshire’s Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center as its director of public relations and assistant to its founder, Harry A. Gregg of Nashua.
Wilson began his career as a journalist. He was assistant editor and sports editor of the Great Neck (NY) News and editor of the New Hyde Park (NY) News. He later became publicity director for the North Shore Hospital Campaign on Long Island.
In the early 1950’s, Wilson was manager of press information for WOR and WOR-TV, New York City radio and television outlets.

He was a graduate of Middlebury College and also attended Bucknell University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. A World War II veteran, he served in the Naval Aviation program in 1944-1945.
Born and raised in Westbury, NY, he graduated from the high school there, where he was president of the junior and senior classes. A varsity player in baseball, football, and basketball, he also played tenor saxophone and helped organize a big band group at the school. In 1943, in his senior year, he enlisted in the US Naval Aviation program and was called to active duty in July 1944.
Henry was married to Cecile Wilson for 66 years, who predeceased him in February 2017. He is survived by his six children – Douglas & Ewa Wilson of Carlisle, Celia & Timothy Metcalf of Cumberland Foreside, ME, Elyse Wilson & Don Foote of Winchester, Paula & Peter Fenton of Winchester, Diana & Bob Neuss of Marblehead, Mark and Nicole Wilson of Woburn. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren – Jackson, Lindsay and Colin Foote, Jennifer and Rebecca Fenton, Darby and Jared Neuss and Cecelia Wilson.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Comfort Keepers, Woburn MA or Lahey Health at Home, Middlesex East VNA. A remembrance for family and friends will be held at a later date.

Arrangements under the direction of Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St. (Rte 38) Winchester, Ma. For online condolences please visit www.lanefuneral.com