John A. Henricks

John A. Henricks was born on September 26, 1946, to the late John and Geraldine Henricks (Wall), in Lakewood, OH. He then moved to Baltimore, MD, and Logansport, IN, before settling in Oak Park, IL. John married Lois in 1976, and then proceeded to have three daughters: Rebecca, Jennifer (Daniel Christman-Crook), and Elizabeth (Russell Clifford). John was a proud product of Catholic education: the Daughters of Charity in Baltimore, MD, Fenwick High School of Oak Park, IL, '64, and the University of Notre Dame, '68. John then dedicated his life to social justice inspired by his service work as a student at Fenwick with Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly. John was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, chose a career in mental health, and dedicated his life to the church as a deacon.

Always an advocate and filled with compassion, John spent 50 years devoted to the care of others. He graduated with a Master of Arts in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago in 1982. John worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center and Rush University Medical Center, working with people in adolescent, general, and geriatric psychiatry. He took an interest in research and participated in many opportunities to present with his colleagues at Rush with the Gerontological Society of America and the National Association of Social Work.

John joined the diaconate and was ordained as a deacon in the Catholic Church in 1993. He served at Sacred Heart Church in Melrose Park and St. Giles Church in Oak Park. He put much consideration and care in all of his homilies, baptized many babies, and officiated the weddings of two of his daughters.

A real green thumb, he had an impressive collection of cacti. A trainiac at heart, he loved riding the L, visiting the Illinois Railway Museum, and reading about rail history. A true historian, John spent much time collecting information and genealogy of his family.

All of John's extended family lives in Mexico and nothing brought as much joy as the moments he spent in Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Aguascalientes, or Leon in a family backyard, surrounded by his family, having a great conversation and glass of tequila surrounded by those he loved the most.

In the last months of his life, John proudly became a grandfather with the birth of his beloved grandson and namesake, Arthur.

In his free time, he supported Fenwick Girls Basketball and loved watching Notre Dame football along with all the schools his daughters, wife, and sons-in-law attended and followed. Happy to cheer on fellow academics, he loved a day at Poor Phils in Oak Park with his family, with the game on, a dozen oysters, and a craft beer.

In his honor, turn on a game, pour a beer, order some oysters, and remember we were all blessed to have spent time with a great man.

Saint Patrick, Pray for us.

Saint John of the Cross, Pray for us.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for us.