Attorney James L. Henry, son of the late James A. Henry and Mary (Belli) Henry and beloved husband of Diana (Arruda) Henry passed on from this life on Monday July 18, 2011 at home with his family at his side, after a year long struggle with cancer.
He was a 1958 graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School where he studied Machine Shop. He was a graduate of Bridgewater State College where he served as Student Body president and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Education. He then attended University of Rhode Island where he earned his Master of Arts Degree in History in 1966.
He taught history, economics, political science and law at Somerset High School from 1965 to 1983. While teaching full time he attended Suffolk Law School nights where he earned his Juris Doctor and was admitted to the bar in 1973.
His law practice specialized in real estate and probate. From 1993 to 2001 he was the Register of Deeds and Assistant Recorder of the Land Court for Bristol County Southern District. He served as tax title Attorney for the City of New Bedford from 1992 to 1994. He served as Attorney for the New Bedford Regional Airport from 2000-2002.
Jim was involved in the founding of and was an incorporator and Past President and current Board Member of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum as well as a founder and incorporator of the Fort Taber Historical Association. He was a Trustee and past Vice-Chairman of the New Bedford Free Public Library. He was past Vice-President of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a past member of the Board of Directors of the New Bedford Boys Club, and current Chair of the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority.
He and his wife Diana received the New Bedford Preservation Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award. They also received WHALE’s Sarah Delano Award for the restoration of their New Bedford historic homes.
He was the proud and honored recipient of the 2004/2005 Career Achievement Award from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational High School.
An avid reader and history buff, he was very proud of his Irish heritage and spent years doing extensive research including DNA testing and was in the process of writing a book on Irish history. He developed and taught a seminar on The History of Ireland. In September of 2010 he was able to visit Ireland and the family village of Cloontubrid, Mayo and meet with family.
He was happiest when with his family and loved spending summer weekends on the porch enjoying good food and good conversation. Several local jazz musicians became close friends and he enjoyed going to their many performances.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, a son, James A. Henry, his sister Kathleen Henry West and her husband John of New Bedford, a daughter-in-law Angela Henry Labbe and her husband Rick of New Bedford, a son-in-law James R. Kasinger and his wife Danielle of Needham, four grandchildren, Shelby Jane Henry, Julia Rose Kasinger, Kodi Henry and Samantha Henry, and a nephew David May and his wife Aimee of Fulton, NY. He was predeceased by his daughter Christina (Henry) Kasinger.
The family would like to thank Dr. Erickson and the entire staff at the Hawthorn Cancer Center as well as the staff at St. Luke Hospital SurgiCenter and Community Nurse and Hospice for their incredible caring and help throughout this past year.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery will be private. Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Schwartz Center for Children, Tina Kasinger Fund, One Posa Place, Dartmouth, MA 02747. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.