Lawrence J. Henry

HENRY, Lawrence J. 61, of North Andover and formerly Charlestown, died Monday, February 9, 2009 at Youville Hospital in Cambridge of complications of kidney disease. A journalist and a musician, Larry wrote The Rock and Roll Songwriter's Handbook, published by Scholastic. He was most recently a columnist for American Spectator, a national conservative journal. He was a reporter and columnist at Investor's Business Daily and The Westfield (N.J.) Leader and freelanced for investment companies and industry publications. Larry's career also included stints at Brigham Sculley Advertising Agency in Beverly Hills and the in-house advertising agency of Avnet Electronics. Larry was a professional musician, playing clarinet and saxophone with the Jazz Band of the New Jersey Workshop for the Arts in Westfield, N.J. He played bass guitar with a number of bands, including Tex Cymbal and the High Hats and the house band at O'Mahoney's in Los Angeles. As the proprietor of Heartsong, Larry wrote and produced music for commercial businesses. Born February 9, 1948 in Brookings, S.D., Larry attended Columbia University as a National Merit Scholar. He was a graduate of Robbinsdale (Minn.) High School. Larry was a faithful and devoted Christian. Larry is survived by his wife Sally Dungan and their sons, Bud and Joe, all of North Andover; his mother Yvonne (Sabo) Hutchinson and her longtime companion Richard Johnson of Pacific Palisades, Cal., and sister Michele Jackson of Fairfax, VA. Having received a successful transplant of a kidney donated by his mother in 1981, Larry benefitted from and was committed to advances in transplant technology and the reform of organ donation regulations. Memorial contributions in his memory, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 85 Astor Avenue, Suite 2, Norwood, MA 02062. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend his Calling Hours on Thursday, February 12th from 6 to 9 at the Conte Funeral Home, 17 Third Street, NORTH ANDOVER, MA 01845. For funeral home directions or to sign the family guest book, please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com