Paul Albert Hennrikus

Paul Albert Hennrikus was born March 29, 1937, the fourth and youngest son of Agnes (Holmes) and George Hennrikus. As with many people born in the late 1930’s, the war years shaped him in ways he may not have understood as a child. His mother was part of the ladies auxiliary, and his father served in the Army. His oldest brother, George, served in the Air Force.

When he was nine, his father was stationed in Germany, and so he spent four years living in different parts of that country and traveling throughout Europe with his parents. Though a wonderful experience in many ways, it made making and keeping friends difficult. When he returned to the states, the family moved to Newton, MA, where he met his best friend, Bill Price. They remained friends for the rest of his life.

He went to Boston University to study business. The first week of his sophomore year his life changed forever, since it was at a freshman/sophomore social at Lars Andersen Park that he met a freshman named Cynthia (Cindy) Stockbridge. He already had a date that night but asked her out the next day, and the rest is history. Or at least family lore. There was some resistance to their union because he was Catholic and she was Methodist, but they forged ahead. They saw West Side Story in Boston, and decided that their song was “Somewhere”.

They were married in May 1961 in a small ceremony. Her father wasn’t going to walk her down the aisle of a Catholic church until a week before the wedding, when one of his sisters-in-law told him he’d lose a daughter if he didn’t. Not only did he keep his daughter, but he gained a son and they became very close.

Paul worked in various aspects of publishing for his entire career, but his legacy is not his work. Instead, he leaves a legacy of laughter, conversations, strong emotions, and love.

He loved, respected, and liked his wife. The model of that love and friendship was one of the great legacies he leaves his daughters Julie Hennrikus, Kristen Hennrikus Spence, and Caroline Hennrikus Lentz. He loved his daughters unconditionally, and told them so often, which built a strong foundation in their lives.

This isn’t to say he was a placid man who drifted through life. He was strong willed and had a temper. He loved music, and played classical music every night at dinner time. Beethoven was his favorite, and he could tell you which conductor of which symphony he preferred. Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Jacques Brel, Judy Collins, Scott Joplin, John Phiilip Sousa (his Sunday morning alarm clock for his daughters), Karen Akers--his musical taste was varied. He also loved musicals. Those who heard him talk about Billy’s “Soliloquy” in Carousel knew he could never talk about that song without breaking down.

When the family moved to Annapolis in 1976, he bought a 27 foot sailboat, the Ode to Joy. He spent many, many happy hours sailing the Chesapeake Bay, with Cindy at his side. They explored the world together, travel being one of his passions. He became an avid woodworker, and was particularly enamoured with Shaker designs, creating a workshop that gave him hours of pleasure.

The furniture he made will be another legacy he leaves his children, beloved grandchildren Chase Lentz, Mallory Lentz, Tori Spence, Becca Spence, and Harrison Lentz, and sons-in-law Glenn Lentz and Bryan Spence. They are also left with a lifetime of memories including visits to Cape Cod where Paul and Cindy lived part of the year, Christmases in Annapolis, arguments about empty ice trays, long conversations, family dinners with lots of wine, walks that could turn into marches, and love. So much love.

Along with Cindy, he created a house that was a home, a safe haven filled with love for his family and their friends. And that is, perhaps, the greatest legacy a man could have. He will be remembered well, celebrated often, and toasted every time the family is together.

When he decided that his boat was too much to handle, he donated it to Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, an organization that provides the therapeutic benefits of sailing to people with disabilities, recovering warriors, and youth from underserved communities. Donations can be made at https://crabsailing.org/.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742  978-369-3388  www.concordfuneral.com