John F. Henning

To the Henning Family,

I worked with John in two of Boston's television stations and was shocked yesterday to return from a trip abroad and learn of his death and burial. I would so have wanted to be in that church and pay tribute to a wonderful, knowledgeable, ethical, warm and funny man that I came to admire for all of those qualities and more. He left this world far too early and will be sorely missed. My condolences to to all of you, a sentiment I know my husband, also a former journalists, shares.

May your happy memories and his wonderful example sustain you.

Sincerely,

Paula Lyons and Arnie Reisman

Dear Family of John Henning, thank you for the service at St. Joseph's yesterday. I was so glad I could be there. Greg, thank you for the wonderful eulogy for your Dad. I was deeply touched by it. You mentioned your Dad loved martinis. Last evening, I asked my husband to make me a Cosmopolitan (my favorite kind of martini). I drank it in John's memory.

Matthew and Gregory -- As former Boston journalists, we knew your Dad well, although we have not seen him in several years. When we both were new to Boston, John and I worked as journalists, me for the former Boston Herald (the broad sheet) and your Dad for TV journalism, on Boston streets. He was a consummate reporter, a sweet and wonderful guy who cared about others (Loretta) and Bruce also worked with John over the years. Later, we always looked to him for his on-air political insights and analysis. We always knew his word could be trusted. We have missed him, although we often have thought of him as we watched today's "News." We are not sure that we can make the memorial service today, but know that we will hold your Dad and all of you in our hearts. Please accept our deepest sympathies. Loretta Leone McCabe (Herald) and Bruce McCabe (Boston Globe).

Matt, I am sorry for your loss. I met your Dad once. He was a very impressive man. Sincerely, Larry Boyle

I saw the news of John's passing while on vacation on the cape. It came as a shock. I last saw him at the New Balance store in Brighton. He was a great guy who will be missed by all. Very Sorry, Mike Morrissey

TO THE JOHN HENNING FAMILY:

JOHN HENNING WAS THE CONSUMMATE BROADCAST JOURNALIST! HE POSSESSED THAT RARE COMBINATON OF KNOWING HIS "BEAT;" INTELLIGENTLY ARTICULATING HIS PROBING QUESTIONS; NEVER ON THE ATTACK; BUT ALWAYS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE CITIZEN-VIEWER HE SERVED SO WELL WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY!

AS A LONG-AGO BOSTON JOURNALIST, (THE BOSTON POST, UNITED PRESS); AND BROADCASTER (NBC-TV NETWORK "TODAY" SHOW WRITER; AND NBC-TV BUSINESS NEWS WRITER-EDITOR), I BECAME AN ADMIRER OF JOHN AFTER I RETURNED TO BOSTON, WHERE I JOINED WBZ-TV/4 (10 YEARS); AND LATER WCVB-TV/5 (5 YEARS).

GENTLEMEN JOHN AND I SEEMED TO "HIT-IT-OFF" RIGHT AWAY (PERHAPS IT WAS BECAUSE HE WAS 6' 5" AND I WAS 5'5"). HE WAS A GIANT OF MAN IN HEART AND SPIRIT!

THIS DESERVING "BROADCAST HALL-OF-FAMER" -AND LONGTIME, VALUED FRIEND WILL BE DEARLY MISSED BY ME -- AND ALL WHO KNEW HIM!

Joseph Ryan, Harwich, MA

Matt, So sad to hear of your father's passing. I did not know him, but knowing you gives me a glimpse of the man he must have been. My sympathies to you and your family.

Matthew and Gregory, Your father and I go way back to BU days when he, Steve Vernick, and I would sit for hours sharing our dreams, anxieties, and future hopes. John was such a loyal friend. I feel blessed that I knew him.
Peg Bottai Newberg, Harpswell, Maine

My sympathies to John Henning's family. When he was reporting or at any scene, you immediately felt the best was there and in good hands. God rest his soul.....

Nancy and I were with family on Block Island when we read in the Globe of John's passing. I remember him as a trusted colleague, universally respected. I did not know we were the same age. In any case, his loss reminds us once again of difference the kind of television journalism he practiced and what passes for it today. Sincerely, Joe Day

Dear Matthew and Gregory hello there my name is FaithTobin and I'd like to express my condolences's to you Folks's and your'e Family.your'e Dad John Henning was a very sweet man and did a great job reporting on channel 4.please email me [email protected] thanx Matthew and Gregory.luv,Faith

To the family of John Henning-
Many years ago I went to a taping of People are Talking at WBZ-TV with Nancy Merrill. Since I was there a little early , he saw that I was waiting and asked if I'd "like to take a look around" -
so I was very honored to have a private guided tour by Mr. Henning.

Always a class act in Boston...

My sympathy on your loss

To Matthew, Gregory and your entire family;
Your father was an inspiration to a young broadcaster coming along just behind him in Boston. (I'm about ten years younger.) When I eventually met him, he was kind, helpful and encouraging. In later years, we would meet on stories we were both covering like the New Hampshire Presidential Primary and share stories. I am also grateful for his work on behalf of AFTRA and enjoyed his sage advice at NATAS events.
Sincerest condolence to you all.

Gregory and Matthew you have my deepest sympathy. Your father was not only a wonderful Journalist and reporter, he was a gentleman and a kind person with a great sense of humor. I have fond memories of him interviewing me during my fourteen years as a State Representative. He was the best.

I wrote mr.henning when i was 5 yrs old telling him he was my favorite newsman and he should be president 45 yrs later i still feel that way r.i.p.

Dear Matt and the Henning family, I did not know your father well, but he impressed me as a very kind, loving, gentle father and proud grandfather when I met him at family events that I had the honor to attend. What amazing children and grandchildren to leave as his legacy! I know of his goodness because I know his children and granchildren. May your father and grandfather rest in peace. I wish you all comfort in joyful memories of his goodness and spirit. Sincerely, Lauren Avery

My memories of John are many. I admired his great skills as a broadcast journalist and found him to be a terrific mentor in my work with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He was a voice of wisdom, reason and intellect in both the union movement and journalism. In a word, he was inspiring. I truly enjoyed knowing John and am deeply saddened by his passing. May I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and very close friends. He will be greatly missed. Rick Pfeiffer Investigative Reporter Buffalo, New York and AFTRA National Board and Broadcast Steering Committee member.

I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat when I heard about your Dad's passing He was such a daily part of my house growing up on TV He set the standards pretty high We were all blessed having him deliver the news for all those years

May he rest in peace

YOUR FATHER WAS A GOOD BROADCASTER HE WILL BE MISSED NOT ONLY BY YOU BUT BY US ALL IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO HAVE KNOWN HIM FR. TOM REILLY RETIRED BOSTON POLICE CHAPLAIN AS WELL AS RETIRED PRIEST

The world has lost a unique individual who epitomized class and professionalism. We will all miss you dearly -- you were truly a special, rare breed.

Matt
Very sorry to hear about your father. I met him on the beach at Popponesett. I was a state rep and he was a reporter. We played alot of tennis at New Seabury. He always had 2 cans of Bud in his tennis bag for post game relaxation while we swapped State House stories.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Paul Means

I first met John at the legendary "Eliot" when the place attracted a great mix of Bostonians and a number of news media. He had to bend down to talk with most of us and I found him to be a very kind and friendly person. Years later, I asked him if he could help me at the Annual Cheers for Children Holiday Auction. John quickly agreed and he joined other Boston luminaries who enjoyed tending bar for the event. He was a true friend and a person who's word was good as gold. My condolences to Matt and Greg. Boston has lost a Legend and a Gentleman.

I an so sorry for your loss,,,,your Dad, Father-in- law, Grampa. He was an icon in Mass. ....for years he came into all of our households and we would sit and watch with i eyes and ears fixated on him .
it was sad to see him leave the news , it is even sadder to now know he is gone.
Godspeed Mr. Henning.........

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

To The Henning Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad, Papa & Brother. John was a fixture in Boston for so many years and watching him was a joy. I felt as he was speaking directly to the viewer which is what the job is intended to be but not many can actually do. I hope you can find peace knowing he touched the lives of so many people here in Boston.
May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back and may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Sincerely.
Ellen Walsh

Matt,

I was very sad to hear about your dad - we never missed his broadcasts!

Thinking of you and your family.

Karen Sandofsky
Morrison Mahoney

Dear Matt and the Henning family, I was very sorry to hear of your loss and wanted to offer my condolences and sympathy to you in this difficult time.

Kind regards,

John Yacoub

I am saddened to hear of Mr. Henning's passing away. I wish to extend my condolences to your family, and say what a great newsman he was and a very special figure in the news media here in Boston.
Most Sincerely,

To The Henning Family
Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. Mr. Henning was a first-class newsperson whose work touched so many of us who loved and respected him. We are all the better for his presence in our lives all these years.
God bless all of you and may your precious memories of him soon replace the sadness in your hearts.

Television news lost a lot of class when Mr. Henning left. He was completely credible, had gravitas and understood that the daily news contained truly vital information that people needed and lived by.
Bless him and his family and thanks you, Mr. Henning.

To Matthew and Gregory: I was a classmate of your mother's at the School of Fine and Applied Arts at Boston University. I met your dad through Betsy and
really enjoyed the times we had together. It is terrible to lose a parent, but to lose both of them in such close proximity is one of those challenges only the strong can face. But Betsy and John gave you that strength so you will both overcome this loss. With wonderful memories of both of your parents, I am
sincerely yours, Paul E. Landry

Matt, I very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this diffiicult time.

Cynthia Jordan

Mr. Henning worked with my father, Bill O'Connell, for years. He was well respected and admired in his profession and personal life. He will be missed by all. I hope that the family can find comfort in knowing that he is with his beloved Betsey, and that together they are smiling down upon us.

Sincerely,
Deidre (O'Connell) Diodati

Good bye to the finest broadcaster in New England. Having watched Mr. Henning during his career here in Boston I/we came to enjoy his political analysis. To his family he was dad or grandfather to me and the rest of New England he was the voice of the news. My deepest sympathy to the family.

My condolences to the family of John Henning.
On hearing the news on BZ radio an audio of Mr. Henning's remarks
was played. He said over the years he has met "John Volpe, Albert DeSalvo, Ted Kennedy and Gerry Anguilo". One minor correction "they got to meet John Henning".
Rest peacefully.
Richard B. Sullivan
Brighton, Massachusetts

To the Henning family...

I was saddened to learn about Mr. Henning's passing. As you well know, he was a trusted member of the media who provided all of us with the information that we needed to understand our world. Thank you for sharing him with us.

May he rest in peace.