David C. Henry of Canton passed away peacefully on September 19, 2016. He was 92 years young. He is survived by his true love of over 68 years, Grace F. (Whooley). Dave was the son of the late Helen (Ford) Henry and David C. Henry. He was the loving Brother of the late John Henry (Marjorie) and James Henry (Jayne). Dave is survived by his two sons and their families: David F. Henry and his wife Patte of Jacksonville Beach, FL and Robert J. Henry and his wife Beverly Mack of Lawrence, KS. Dave had five grandchildren: Paul Henry of Boston, MA, Daniel Henry and his wife, Dori, of Baltimore, MD, Christopher Henry of Chicago, IL, Thomas Henry of Mansfield, MA, and Sarah Henry, Boston, MA; and two great grandchildren, Liam and Griffin, both of Baltimore. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and neighbors who have been like family to him for many years.
Dave graduated from Boston English High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. Dave served in the 215th Field Artillery Battalion in the European theater. He first saw action as a 20 year old in the Battle of the Bulge. In 1946, following the end of the War, he was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal.
Dave worked for the United States Post Office at various locations throughout the metropolitan Boston area from 1947 until his retirement in 1979. At the time of his retirement, Dave served as the Manager of Newton Center Post Office. For many years Dave also worked as a bank teller to supplement his income to provide that "better life" for his family.
Dave was a man of many talents. In 1954 after moving his young family from Roxbury to Canton, he built his "shack," a place familiar to all who knew him. Despite predictions it would blow away in the first hurricane, it still stands today. He loved gardening and landscaping. "Digger" was known to distribute home grown tomatoes and vegetables to friends and neighbors. In the garden he also engaged in a fierce rivalry with “Woody” woodchuck who will miss his long-time adversary. Dave also enjoyed painting, writing poetry, reading voraciously, arguing politics (he was Irish after all), listening to Irish music, following the Patriots and Red Sox, hiking Blue Hill, and until later years, traveling, including to Maine, San Francisco, the Cape, and Ireland. He was also known to enjoy a Guinness now and then.
The quintessential good man, a reliable man, Dave, who just three weeks ago was on a ladder trimming branches, will be sorely missed by his neighbors and relatives, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and most especially, by his partner in all that he did, the love of his life, Grace. He may be gone, but "Tis Himself” now.
The wake will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021.
The funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016 at St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church in Canton, MA at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Dave's memory may be made to Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley Street, West Bridgewater, MA 02379 or St. John’s School Foundation, PO Box 604, Canton, MA 02021.