Henry O. Prehemo

BEECHER FALLS – Henry O. Prehemo, 89, of Beecher Falls, Vt., died at his home with his family at his side on Wednesday evening, July 15, 2026. He was born on April 9, 1937, in Beecher Falls, a son to the late Willie and Rose (Paquette) Prehemo. He was a 1956 graduate of Canaan Memorial High School. He began working at the Beecher Falls Division of Ethan Allen in 1956 and was a supervisor in the finishing Department for many years, prior to his retirement in 2004. His true passion in life was always in the fire service. Henry joined the Beecher Falls Volunteer Fire Dept. in 1953 and became Chief in 1970, taking the position over from his father Willie. He retired in 2001, with 48 total years of service with 31 of those years as Chief, leading the department through numerous fires and floods. This includes having to rebuild the Department from ashes after the devastating station fire in 1976, which was a total loss for the department. He was a member of the Vermont State Firefighters Association since the early 1960s and was the Essex County representative for most of those years, until his passing. Henry served for 26 years with the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring in 1991 as a staff sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. In retirement, Henry loved to travel with his wife, and spend time with family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lucie (Tetreault) Prehemo; his son, Daniel Prehemo (Renee Cross) of Concord, N.H.; two brothers, Raymond and Robert Prehemo; two grandchildren, James Prehemo and Elizabeth Cornell; and three great-grandchildren, Stella and Charlotte Cornell, and Wesley Prehemo. He is predeceased by two sisters, Clara Cameron and Rita Bergeron. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, July 22, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Albert’s Catholic Church in W. Stewartstown. Interment will immediately follow at the Assumption Cemetery at Lake Wallace. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Chief Prehemo may be made to the BFVFD, P.O. Box 326, Beecher Falls, VT 05902. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Henry O. Prehemo

April 9, 1937 - July 15, 2026