Charles Joseph Henry Sr.'s Obituary
Charles Joseph Henry, Sr.
Charles (Chuck) J. Henry, Sr., 82, of Lakeland, FL, passed away on January 2, 2018 surrounded by his family. Chuck was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and loyal friend who will be remembered as a man of few words with a big heart.
A retailer by trade, it was Chuck’s last retail venture as manager of the St. Joseph Gift Shop that gave him the greatest satisfaction. From finding an obscure item for a customer to repairing a rosary, Chuck thoroughly enjoyed his time serving the Catholic community, and his Emmaus brothers. Chuck also spent 22 years as a Knights of Columbus brother with Council 10169 where he served as Faithful Navigator and could be seen collecting tickets for their First Friday and Lenten fish fry dinners or assisting with bingo. Having a great devotion to the Blessed Mother, Chuck was a member of the Legion of Mary and made thousands of rosaries for the missions or anyone who needed or wanted a pair.
Chuck is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Ellen, his four children, Charles Joseph (Joe) Henry, Jr., Denise Henry, Brenda Henry Brogdon and Edward J. Henry, his grandchildren, Jessi Henry Carvalho, Jamee Henry, Trey Walker, Kim Henry, Kelly Henry, Kevin Brogdon, Jacob Henry, and Gabrielle Lambright, and daughter-in-laws, Lucy Walker Henry, Michelle Maxon Henry and son-in-law, Jeff Brogdon, and preceded by his parents, Francis and Eleanor Henry of McKeesport, PA, and brothers, John, Edward and Thomas.
He and his wife, Mary Ellen, built their life together on faith. A gentle and kind man, Chuck dedicated his life to helping others, thoroughly enjoyed his family, whom he loved deeply and was incredibly proud of each of them. He laughed often with friends and family, and was truly grateful for the life that he lived.
The family will welcome guests at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home, 1727 Bartow Rd. Lakeland, FL 33801 on Monday, January 8th from 6PM until 8PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 210 West Lemon Street, Lakeland, on Tuesday, January 9th at 10:15AM. A private family burial at Florida National Cemetery will follow. To share a memory, condolence and/or for directions, please visit www.gentry-morrison.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Chuck’s memory to the St. Joseph Academy Foundation, 310 Frank Lloyd Wright Way, Lakeland, FL 33803 or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) would be greatly appreciated.
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