Obituary of James Daniel Henry

LEROY – James Daniel Henry Sr., 87, of LeRoy, passed away Tuesday (May 26, 2015) at his home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Henry was born July 18, 1927 in LeRoy, the son of the late George and Anna Lucille (Campbell) Henry. A lifelong resident of LeRoy, James was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of LeRoy and a member of the LeRoy High Class of 1946. James left school at the end of his junior year to join the U.S. Navy. After serving 10 months in the Philippines, James returned home to earn his diploma. He then attended RIT and learned the oil burner service business which served him well during his 34 years with the Townsend Oil Corporation in LeRoy. He worked at a variety of LeRoy based companies in his day, including Jell-O, The LeRoy Gazette News, Lapp Insulator, and the Derrick Monument Co. He retired after a 6-year stint with Ray LeChase Construction of Rochester, NY. Mr. Henry was a village of LeRoy fireman/fire police officer during his 38 years with the LeRoy Fire Department. He served as the Financial Secretary for the Chemical Hose of LeRoy during his 60+ years with the group. He was a social member of the LeRoy Oatka Hose and also was a member of the LeRoy Oatka Fish & Game Club, LeRoy Jaycees (Vice-President 1963), Chemical Hose Drill Team, and the LeRoy American Legion for 68 years. Mr. Henry served as a LeRoy Village Trustee from 1969-70 after being the top vote-getter in the local spring election. He was also a Trustee and Vice-President for LeRoy’s Machpelah Cemetery for 20+ years. He took great pride and joy working for Camp Good Days and Special Times (Branchport, NY) where he was a 10-year member of their wood working department creating wood-based projects for children at the camp who were afflicted with cancer. Over the years he collected tens of thousands of aluminum pull tabs so that the cash payout for the collected metal could be donated to local kidney dialysis centers. Mr. Henry was known for his warm and friendly demeanor, quick wit, desire to help others, fierce loyalty, and his engaging humbleness. He was an avid coin collector and fine wood crafter. He so enjoyed constructing his custom-made Adirondack style chairs for family and friends. He also possessed a penchant for local LeRoy history. He installed many of the bricks now on display at the LeRoy Historical Society’s Jell-O Brick Road. He was a letter-earning member of the undefeated 1943 LeRoy High varsity football team that was elected into the 2012 inaugural class of the LeRoy High Oatka Knights Sports Hall of Fame. He was a fixture at LeRoy football games, both home and away, for 70+ years. He was known as the official historian of LeRoy High football due to his large LeRoy football catalog of retro stories, stats, and images that chronicle the program from its inception in 1897 to the present. Mr. Henry also maintained a similar status with the LeRoy High wrestling program as he regularly attended scholastic dual meets and tournaments for 40+ years, always equipped with his note pad and pencil. Mr. Henry was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Beatrice Coppini Henry, and a daughter, Angela Marie. He was a brother-in-law to the late Velma and Joseph Merola, James and Ruth Coppini, Albert Coppini, Angelo Coppini, Olimbia and Sam DiLiberto, Carmen and Pat Coppini, Joseph Coppini, Louise and Thomas Paladino, and Rita Ianiro. Survivors include five children: James (Bonnie) Henry of LeRoy, George (Jennifer) Henry of Essex Junction, Vermont, Edward (Karen Barrera) Henry of LeRoy, Gary (Sue) Henry of Clarence Center, and Rebecca (Bill) Seeley of LeRoy. Three sisters: Dorothy Papke (late Ray) of LeRoy, Florence Glena (late Robert) of Henrietta, and Elizabeth Stewart (late Thomas) of Canandaigua. Seven grandchildren: Taryn Henry of Batavia, Christie, Angela, Peter, and Nick Henry, all of Vermont, and Jayce and Dalton Seeley of LeRoy. One great grandchild: James Henry of Batavia. Five sister-in-laws: Faye, Mary, Pearl, and Barbara Coppini of Caledonia, and Lorraine Coppini of Batavia. Three brother-in-laws: Peter and Anthony Coppini, and Frank Ianiro of Caledonia. Family and friends may call on Thursday, May 28 from 2 ~ 4 and 6 ~ 9 at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake Road (Rt. 19), LeRoy, His funeral service will be held on Friday, May 29 at 10:00 AM at the LeRoy First Presbyterian Church, Rts. 5 & 19, LeRoy, with interment to follow in Machpelah Cemetery. The courtesy of no flowers is requested with memorial donations suggested to the LeRoy Historical Society, P.O. Box 176, LeRoy, NY 14482.