Reginald Henderson
After 89 years, Dad died
peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, January 14, 2020, laying beside Marj,
the love of his life to the end. He was a father, husband, grandfather
and great grandfather who always looked forward to a good party with
family and friends. In typical style, he waited until Christmas
celebrations were truly over before he decided it was time! And what a
final Christmas- 12 straight days of presents, topped off with a visit
from Susie, Glenn, Derek and Hayley, many games of euchre, a glass or
two of wine and lots of laughter. I’m sure he would like a replay of
the last euchre when the women finally won- or perhaps this was part
of his grand plan?
Dad grew up in rural Durham
Bridge, New Brunswick, and then the family moved to the suburbs of
‘urban’ Minto, surrounded by forest. The once suspected walk of miles
to school and home along a path are actually true. He also truly did
work on the railroad. Its hard to imagine at the young age of 16, Dad
hopping on a train in Minto to disembark days later in Toronto and
attend the Radio College of Canada. He asked a stranger how to use the
telephone to find his way to a boarding house. Dad landed a job at CAE
in Montreal, where he met Mom and married in 1954. Dad worked until 65
in Montreal, Saint John, Halifax, and Moncton. In retirement, he kept
learning, finishing his Bachelor’s degree started at Sir
George Williams University long ago, took up tennis and cracked the
Morse code.
Life was sweet for Dad,
especially apple pie with cheddar cheese, or mince pie. Toast and jam
was a good breakfast, even better than the toast and milk he grew up
with. Diabetes didn’t have a chance. Prominent talents included
sleeping, thinking, tinkering, dahlia and green bean grower, serial TV
watcher especially Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, guardian of the
dessert station at pot lucks, and champion kite maker using whatever
was available in the shed. We’ve all witnessed his perfect naps,
waking up at the end of a story or just in time for bed. Almost every
grandchild ‘travelled’ on the porch swing to Greeno’s, the moon or
other distant lands. The same for leaving the beach a little early
with a very willing grandchild to sample ice cream at the wharf. with
Dad. Linguistically, he had a knack for convincing grandkids that
adding a simple ‘la’ to any word- as in bacon ‘la’- converted English
to French. Rounding out Dad’s talents were the harmonica, violin, art,
bridge, curling, and square and round
dancing.
Predeceased by his mother Blanche,
father Joe and brother Keith, Dad in turn leaves behind a long, fond
and widely geographic list of family. From west to east: Colleen in
Vancouver, sister Wanda in Kelowna, in Calgary we have Greg and Sue,
Alexandria and Kyle with Levi, in Medicine Hat the Henderson’s are
Jonathan, Ashley, Noah and Dyllan, in Ottawa there are Shari, George,
Tyler and Jen, Toronto has Derek (Sam) and Hayley, in Montreal it is
Susie, Glenn, Cassie, Moe, Sarah and Dave, and in Connecticut there is
Ashley’s family with Jay, Weston and Drew. His sister Kaye resides in
Saint John.
Dad taught us that a calm
disposition means almost everyone will like you and that to wander
does not mean you are lost. I’m hoping his superb exit strategy,
carried in genes from his father will continue forward. Sleep well
Dad, we miss you terribly, and we’ll wake you with ice cream in hand
when we get there.
Service will be held Saturday,
January 18, 2020 at 2:00 pm at Mount Royal United Church, 106 Mount
Royal Boulevard. Reception to immediately
follow.
Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657
Mountain Road, Moncton (858-1995) in care of
arrangements.
If desired, donations can be made to Diabetes Canada
or charity of your choice. Online condolences for the family may be
shared at
www.fergusonsfuneralhome.com
Click here to View Condolences
2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Reginald Henderson 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Moncton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick