James A. "Jim" Henry

James A. "Jim" Henry, 84, passed away October 7, 2025 at the Masonic Health Care Center, Elizabethtown, PA after a long illness. He was born February 5, 1941 in East Orange, NJ to Richard A. and Barbara (Cook) Henry. Jim grew up in Madison, NJ, attended Morristown School, the University of Miami and Windham College; graduating from there in 1966 with a BS in Geology.

After graduation, Jim worked as a marine geophysicist with a team of scientists under contract with the Navy mapping sections of the Pacific Ocean floor to aid in submarine navigation and gather information on the topography and composition of the sea floor.

Jim and Kathryn "Kay" Wilson married in 1968. They started Mad River Canoe (MRC) after Jim won the 1971 Men's National Whitewater Open Canoe Championships in the Malecite, a canoe he designed and made.

Under Jim's stewardship, MRC was known as an industry leader in forward thinking canoe design, innovative construction materials and excellent quality. The company won many awards as manufacturers and their boats won many races. More important to Jim than the awards was knowing that his boats brought joy to so many people from recreational family outings to fishing and hunting to rigorous wilderness expeditions.

In 1990 Jim founded Mad River Decoy and made rare and endangered seabird decoys to help relocate or reestablish seabird colonies.

He reconnected with Nancy Wiederhold in 2000 and they married in 2002. They worked together making decoys until 2016 when they donated the business to Audubon's Seabird Institute. At that time they were making over 30 different species that had been shipped all over the world.

In addition to being a pioneer in boat design, Jim was a gifted craftsman and found infinite joy in the creative process. More often than not his projects were inventive, visionary and unique. Not all his creations were beautiful, but each had a purpose. He shared his knowledge freely and was always ready to lend a hand. His willingness to help others, generous spirit and sense of humor have left a lasting mark on all who knew him.

Jim had many pastimes and interests. In addition to whitewater canoe racing, he also raced Sailfish and sailing canoes. He enjoyed skiing (alpine, nordic and water), photography (including underwater and stereoptic), playing polo with the Sugarbush Polo Club, spending time on Cape Cod and at his cottage on Isle La Motte, VT, hosting "Geezer" Pool Night and collecting anything that interested him. He was an accomplished outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman and had a deep love and appreciation for nature.

Jim was a proud Master Mason and member of the Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682, Elizabethtown, PA.

Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, daughter Carrie Knowles Henry, son Richard Dana Henry and his wife Kari Henry, stepdaughter Kirsten Talgo and husband Joe Cullen and two "grandlittles", Cody and Piper as well as a sister Barbara Bartlett, many nieces and nephews and close friends. His brother Robert "Bob" Henry predeceased him.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff at the Masonic Health Care Center for their care, compassion, support and guidance.

In accordance with Jim's wishes, there will be no public service, memorial or celebration of life. Instead, Jim expressed a heartfelt wish for family and friends to continue to honor him by doing random acts of kindness in his memory. Be creative, be kind and don't hesitate to add a little humor if appropriate!