Joseph M. Henry

Joseph M. Henry, the patriarch of the Henry Clan of Lebanon, CT passed while in the arms of family shortly after midnight Tuesday, October 13, 2009 . He fought a brave fight against cancer. Joie de Vivre (love of life) should have been his motto. He lived his to the fullest extent that life's situations would allow. Joe's parents came from Quebec just before he was born. He was raised in a French speaking family. Though he loved the U.S. and faithfully served in the Navy in WW II, Joe was a French Canadian through and through. He was a wee bit of a rascal and a great admirer of the female gender. The true love of his life and the owner of his heart, Ruthie, his wife of 42 yrs., preceded him in death. We know that she is as happy to see him now as he is relieved to be in her embrace once more. Joe leaves behind four children, Joseph Henry and his wife Cindy, Linda McComber and her husband Mark, Susan Henson and her husband Al, and Michael Henry and his wife Randi; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Jason and Nadina Henry, Kyle Flynn, Jennifer and Zoram Zugarazo, Josh and Cate Dion, Amanda and Jake Scholan, Justin Henry and Aaron and Kristina Henry; and five great-grandchildren, Susan Page and her husband Colin, Devon Flynn, Nadia Henry, Soleil Zugarazo and Lillian Scholan; sisters Solange Gencarella and her husband Joseph , Dorothy Turano and her husband John , Lucille Roberts and her husband James , and Carol Dower; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sisters, Jeannine Cote and Florette Corteze, and his brother, Laurier Henri. Joe lived his life on his own terms. He loved his family; he loved his friends; he loved to laugh. He loved the ocean as much as he loved gardening; he loved to work with his hands and he loved to be in the sun. A special thanks to the staff of Hospice of Eastern Connecticut, Dr. Morton Glasser and staff at the Medical Pharmacy for their support and kindness. In lieu of flowers, it is the family's request that donations be made to Hospice of Eastern Connecticut, 34 Ledgebrook Dr., Mansfield Center, CT 06250. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements through Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. For online registry of condolences, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .