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HENRY TATE Obituary
HENRY A., of Boston August 11, 2015. A professor and long-time Berklee faculty member in the Liberal Arts Dept. passed away at the age of 73. Henry was a Berklee legend, a great teacher, and an inspiration to many students particularly around the subject of art. He began teaching at Berklee in 1985 and retired last year. Simone Pilon, chair of the Liberal Arts Dept, stated "He was an exceptional teacher, a compelling storyteller, and one of the kindest, gentlest people I have had the pleasure to know. He touched countless students and colleagues during his time at Berklee. He will be greatly missed." Henry earned a bachelor of arts degree from Villanova University, a second bachelor of arts from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master of arts degree and Ph.D. from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He held curatorial positions in the education departments of the Philadelphia Museum of Fine Arts, the Worcester Art Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Additionally, he was an educational consultant and lecturer at Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, and the James Joyce Society in New York and Dublin. A memorial service will be held at Berklee in the fall. Henry is survived by his brother Joseph and his wife Detta, sisters, Sr. Mary Tate and Patricia Tate Stewart all of Pennsylvania. He is also survived by 5 nieces and nephews, 4 great nieces and nephews. Contributions can be made in Henry's name to Berklee College of Music. For guest book please visit www.lehmanreen.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for HENRY TATE
Sponsored by Lehman, Reen, McNamara Funeral Home.
Catherine Storey and family
August 12, 2022
Henry my dear cousin and friend, we will cherish your memory, always be remembered and not forgotten.
In loving memory, Sympathy to Pat, Joseph and Mary and their families
John Jonik
August 12, 2021
Back in late 1950's, when we were at Bonner High School, Henry got me to go with him to opening of stage play, West Side Story, in Philly at the Earlinger theater. This was before NYC opening. I found a West Side Story poster just sitting in the lobby. It's still in my house somewhere.
Plan is to sell it on-line for a zillion dollars. I'll donate a bit of that to trees for Henry program.
John Jonik
August 12, 2020
In High School, late '50's, Henry got me to join him at Philly premier (before NYC) of "West Side Story".....the live play, that is. We knew the songs before they got popular.
Keith Armstrong
April 13, 2017
Henry, I met you while a student at Harvard. We chatted and soon became friends for my last semester there. What a rich experience it was to see your collection of art and to meet some of your distinguished friends. Coming from the Midwest, I was a bit overwhelmed. You helped me grow in that regard and to feel I too should continue for a doctorate. I immersed myself in the new world you help create for me, and then I saw this obituary! I know I'm only one of many lights of hope you ignited, Henry, but I will never stop thanking you. May we meet again.
Keith Bradford Armstrong, AZ
Allen Yu
May 25, 2016
Henry, it was such a shock to hear your passing. Feel like yesterday we dinned at your place. I will always remember your kindness, good humor and friendship. Rest in peace. Allen Yu
Rich Lamb
January 8, 2016
I met Henry as a Berklee student in the summer of 1987. He was the art teacher you HAD to have. We then became friends... his generosity as a host was unparalleled, which even included offering his incredibly comfortable and impeccably decorated home to my parents when they came to Boston for my graduation, as he stayed elsewhere. I returned to New York after graduating but continued to visit Henry over the years. His wit, wisdom and knowledge were considerable. He knew food, wine, and music. He gave me guidance when I needed it. My life is forever enriched by knowing him and his cats.
Keith Kavanaugh
October 26, 2015
I just read about Dr. Tate's passing in the Berklee alumni magazine. I had the good fortune to be in his art history class for two semesters at Berklee. His passion for art was so infectious that a year after graduating I enrolled in art school and have pursued a career as a painter. I still think about his enthusiasm 30 years later. One episode comes to mind - I was hanging out at the MFA and happened to bump into him. He could have just said hello and been on his way but, no, he enthusiastically urged me to go take a look at a particular Sargent watercolor that he loved, and described why it was such a wonderful piece. He's one of a handful of people who changed the course of my life and I'm forever greatful.
Catherine Storey
September 12, 2015
Miss you Henry, you inspired me to study, always remember you. Rest in Peace Anrai, condolences to Tate family from your Donegal cousins
September 3, 2015
Henry was a close friend from high school but we lost contact after that. To my great joy and I think his, we reconnected a little over a year ago by email. It was if the fifty odd year hiatus had never occurred. I was hoping he would visit us here in California and was shocked to hear of his death. To say he will be missed is to say far too little. The world is a lonelier place today.
Al Eichenlaub
Linda
August 26, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss Detta. Henry will be dearly miss. My thought and prayers are with you.Our creator give our hearts comfort in time of sorrow by asking us to draw close to him .James 4,8
Anita Pearson
August 26, 2015
I'm very saddened to hear of Henry's passing. He was a delightful member of a national parks tour group I was on several years ago, and I had the pleasure of hearing him speak at the MFA a couple of years ago as well. A tremendous loss to that institution.
Barbara Martin
August 26, 2015
Henry was a legend in the galleries of the Museum of Fine Arts for decades, whether drawing dozens of visitors to a holiday-themed gallery talk or bringing troops of Berklee students to share his enthusiasm for the collection. His many fans will miss him.
John Jonik
August 25, 2015
In high school Henry introduced me to the Theater...West Side Story specifically, in Philadelphia before the show went to New York. That expanded my musical world to the point of no going back.
We lost touch over the years except for a lot of emails in 2012 about my cartoons and our memories of old pals in high school. Sorry that we never got a chance to see each other again.
Randy Bonifield
August 22, 2015
I am so thankful for Dr. Tate's impact on my life. I was honored to be his student for one semester while at Berklee College of Music. He passed on so beautifully his passion for art and my love for John Singer Sargent is alive today because of him. I remember him with such fondness and joy. I am a better man, a blessed man, for having been mentored under his care for that short season. Thank you, Dr. Tate, for a life well lived.
Marisa Dery
August 21, 2015
Such a sweet man who loved loved loved Art... His passion for it was infectious. Thank you Henry for helping me understand art in a whole new way....
Jayne Dykstra
August 21, 2015
I so much enjoyed Professor Tate's wonderful talks at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, especially the annual event he entitled "The Poets Tell of Christmas." I'm grateful for the beauty he showed me and the lovely words he shared. I'll miss him.
jenn adams
August 20, 2015
one of the finest men I ever knew and an exceptional teacher
Christopher Moriarty
August 19, 2015
I've had the great pleasure of working with Henry for the past six years at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. His knowledge and expertise were only surpassed by his fantastic personality and charm. Henry's departure leaves a void in the MFA family and his kindness, wit and good humor made all of our lives richer. We who have known him have now have the great privilege in carrying his memory forward and for this I am eternally grateful.
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