Obituary of Vernon Henderson

HENDERSON: Vernon Douglas (Bud). A resident of Blenheim, Vernon Douglas Henderson (Bud) passed away at the Chatham-Kent health Alliance, Chatham on Monday, February 15, 2010 at the age of 81. Born June 16, 1928 at Battle Hill, Mosa Township, on #2 Hwy. near Glencoe, Ontario. He was the youngest of 7 children born to Wesley Henderson and Sarah A. Hartford. For approximately 18 months, Vern lived with his family at Thamesville. In 1932, he moved with his family to a farm on the Centreline road of Harwich Township, County of Kent behind the Samson School House. Vern attended school here until he was ten years old. The family moved to Troy where Vern attended school. Vern attended and graduated high school at Ridgetown District High School. On November 29, 1946, Vern married Georgette Courchesne, daughter of Leo Courchesne and Jeanne (Lavigne) Courchesne of Sandpoint, Ontario (Renfrew). At that time, Vern was employed with the CP railroad working on the switches. Vern and Georgette lived at Sandpoint for 4 months. On March 1, 1947, Vern gave up the railroad and they moved to Troy near Blenheim. There they lived with Wesley and Sarah Henderson for one year until they built a home next door. Vern started in the trucking business in 1947 with one truck. Vern and Georgette sold their Troy home and bought a little home on Jane St. in Blenheim, where they continued trucking. They built a new home next door at 190 Jane Street. In 1972, Vern moved the business to the country on #3 Hwy West of Blenheim, where he built a new home and expanded the business. He operated the business for 53 years from 1947-2000. In 1956, Vern served as a councillor on the Blenheim Town Council. From 1963 - 1968 Vern served on the local Blenheim High School Board and from 1967 - 1968 he was Chairman of the Board. He served as a volunteer fireman with the Blenheim and Harwich Fire Dept. from 1954 - 1994 and served as Fire Chief of Blenheim and Blenheim-Harwich from 1969-1994. In June of 1994, Vern retired from the Blenheim-Harwich Fire Dept. with 40 years of dedicated service. Vern was the last surviving member of his family. He is predeceased by his wife Georgette Courchesne (Sept. 2004), baby daughter Heather (1965), his brothers Samuel (1988), Harold(1982), Carman (1944), his sisters Laverna Mould (1988), Ethel MacCallum(2008) and Gladys Knowler (1992). He is survived by his children Shawn and Heather Henderson (Blenheim), Richard and Nancy Henderson (Kemptville), Catherine and James Allely (Blenheim), Barry and Pat Henderson(Blenheim), Sharron and Ron Newberry(Thamesville), and Janice and Shawn McEachran(Blenheim). Grandfather of Kari and Steve Aubertin, Shane and Mark Phillips, Gregory Henderson (Holly), Jennifer and Ken Goodison, Jamie and Terry Amerlinck, Jason Allely, JoLynn Allely and Chris Deprez, Wesley Henderson, Peter Henderson, Byron Newberry, Tamera Newberry, Tonia Newberry, Wade McEachran, and Jenna McEachran. Great-grandfather of Suprina, Krystal, Tyler, Chelsea, Dallas, Brooke, Jaden, Jase, Jason, Cooper, and Jaxon. Survived by special high school friend Ruth Britton of Florida. Family will receive friends at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 141 Park Street, Blenheim on Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Bill Terris officiating. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Donations to the War Amps, Royal Canadian Legion Br.#185 Poppy Fund, or charity of choice would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. McKinlay Funeral Home, 141 Park Street, Blenheim, Ontario (519)676-3451.