Obituary of Gary John Henderson

July 23, 1952- Rome, New York, USA

June 27, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Gary John Henderson was born July 23, 1952 in Rome, New York. His family moved to Compton, California when he was 5 years old. He was a proud older brother to his three younger sisters. While hitchhiking in Canada, he met the love of his life, Carol, and they were married for 47 years. He showered his six kids with love and generosity. He told tales of his many adventures to a sea of 19 grandchildren.

He could have died when he was nine months old, hitting the windshield after a quick stop in a time before seatbelts existed. Or at the age of 6 when he was thrown across the room in an oven explosion that he inadvertently caused when trying to surprise his mom with a Mother’s Day breakfast. Or when he was a child walking on a train trestle only to realize a train was coming. Or while stranded on the side of a cliff after lifting his friend to safety on a Boy Scout hike.

He could have died after being in a coma for days after a music festival full of hippies. Or when hitchhiking across all 50 states and 10 provinces. Or when he was kicked out of a phone booth at gunpoint. Or when he was chased by a black bear after trying to take an up close photograph.

He could have died when the steering wheel fell off his Renault Dauphine while he was driving on a highway. Or when his Volkswagen Beetle spun out at 70 mph, and flipped off the highway. Or when his van rolled over after being slammed by another vehicle. Or especially when his motorcycle crashed at full speed into a boulder in the mountains of British Columbia.

He nearly died from alcohol in his 30s, but Jesus intervened and changed his life for the remaining years.

He lived life to the fullest. His eyes were constantly lit with a contagious enthusiasm, whether telling you a story about his life, or a type of ice cream you should try. You had to walk quickly if you wanted to keep up with him. He ran the Boston Marathon at age 65. Vacations and large purchases were often totally spontaneous. He made everyone he talked to feel important, because to him, you were.

He died after a brief battle with cancer, surrounded with love, on June 27, 2023, an hour after his wife's birthday ended. Holding on that last hour so that he didn't die on her birthday was probably his last of many acts of love.

Gary is survived by his wife, Carol; their six children: Jessica Snyder (Mark), Jennifer Braitenbach (Kevin), Jacqueline Dipert (Josh), John Henderson (Stephanie), Jeanette Prendergast (Matthew), and Jeff Henderson (Kellen); his 19 grandchildren: Ava, Sadie, Zachary, Emilia, Gabriel, Eleanor, Ernest, Logan, Adelaide, Savannah, Dot, Millie, Mae, Bud, Georgiana, Isabel, Enoch, Forest, and Conan.

He is also survived by his mother, Miriam Henderson, and his three sisters, Donna Rounseville (Keith), Patty Murphy, and Barbara Linett, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. Gary was predeceased by his father, James Henderson.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 3, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Calgary First Church of the Nazarene (65 Richard Way SW, Calgary, AB). All who knew and loved Gary are welcome to attend. Following the service, there will be a reception at 2:30 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Gary Henderson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044