Michael Henry

Michael D. Henry 1949-2011 BRATTLEBORO Michael Dennis Henry, 62, of Spruce Street died unexpectedly Monday, August 1, 2011 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He was born in Brattleboro on March 22, 1949, the son of Dwight and Florence (Derry) Henry. They put a $50 deposit down when they went in to give birth and they got change when they left with Michael.They got a bargain because Michael grew into a good son, a loving and generous husband, a wonderful, caring, fun father and the best Pops Brooke and Charlie could want. Michael loved his dogs and spent every day on walks in the woods or around the Spruce Street neighborhood, chatting with friends and often stopping in at the yellow store. He was a great reader. He fed the birds and the squirrels, he watered his grass, proud that he finally had a yard full and it sometimes appeared he was watering the driveway, too. He enjoyed pitching to his little friends in the neighborhood and enjoyed many a vigorous water fight. He liked people and was a loyal and sensitive friend to many, enriching their lives as they did his. We are so thankful for all those good people in his life. Skiing was a passion he shared with his children and nothing pleased him more than sharing a beautiful day in the mountains. He held the Belt Buckle Championship for a year and it was a matter of some pride. Some of Michael's fondest memories were of the years he spent coaching Junior and Senior Pro, Small Fry, Little League and Babe Ruth. He valued the friendships of the boys and girls he coached and tried his best to impact them in a very positive way that went beyond the rules of the sport. Michael attended Green Street School, graduated from BUHS, attended the University of Vermont and graduated from Windham College with a B.A. cum laude in Economics. Professionally, Michael's working life was devoted to real estate. He worked with Cooke Realty and Berkley and Veller Real Estate before joining forces with Frank Martocci and opening Martocci and Henry Real Estate, the third largest firm in the state for a number of years. In recent years, his firm, Michael D. Henry & Company, LLC has specialized in commercial real estate throughout New England and eastern New York. Michael volunteered with many civic and professional groups. He served as a director of the Vermont Association of Realtors, President of the Brattleboro Housing Development Corporation, Chairman of the Brattleboro Planning Commission, umpire for the Brattleboro Little League, founding member and director of the American Hirschsprung's Disease Association, member of the BUHS chain gang, Chairman of the BUHS Lights Committee raising $200,000 to install lighting on athletic fields and a member of the Mountain Safety Patrol at Mt. Snow among others. He leaves his father, Dwight Henry, his brothers and sisters-in-law, David and Barbara Henry, Stephen and Patricia Henry, his in-laws, Maurice Halladay, Thomas and Donna Wells, Thomas and Jean Gilbert, and many loved nieces and nephews. Michael's greatest passion was his family, his wife Betty Halladay Henry, whom he married on September 8, 1973, his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Amanda Henry of Bozeman, Montana, his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and David Lewis of Brattleboro, and his son, Douglas Henry of Carnelian Bay, California and the lights of his life, his granddaughter, Brooke Marilyn Lewis of Brattleboro and his grandson, Charles Michael Henry of Bozeman. Michael leaves us with many wonderful memories but he leaves us too soon. FUNEAL NOTICE: A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Centre Congregational Church with Rev. Carra McFadden, pastor officiating. In lieu of flowers, please take time to smile at a stranger, perform a kindness for someone who doesn't know much kindness or if you would like to make a monetary donation please send to: Ability Plus at Mount Snow, (ski programs for those with disabilities), 39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover, VT 05356, attn: Sue Tatem. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.