Bernard L. Henry, Former St. Mary Basketball Coach, Dies at 72

Bernard L. Henry, 72, of Bethel, loving husband of 44 years to Carol (Murphy) Henry died October 4, 2012 at Danbury Hospital.

Bernie was born in New York City, son of the late Winifred (Johnston) Henry of County Mayo, Ireland and Peter Henry of County Sligo, Ireland. He graduated from St. Nicholas of Tolentine High School and Manhattan College with a degree in Marketing. He loved growing up in the Bronx and working at Yankee Stadium as a youth.

Bernie spent a total of 49 years in the chemical industry - 37 years at Union Carbide and 12 years at GCT, Ltd. His career took him all over the world including Saudi Arabia, Monte Carlo and Australia. It was while working at Union Carbide that Bernie was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia and met his future wife and love of his life, Carol Murphy on a blind date. After getting married in Atlanta in 1968, they moved with Union Carbide to Griffith, Indiana, Park Forest, Illinois, Mercerville, New Jersey, and Bethel, Connecticut, where they have resided for the past 32 years. Bernie and his family were longtime parishioners of St. Mary Church.

Bernie had a zest for life. He deeply valued his many friendships. He enjoyed participating in all types of sports. Through his youth he enjoyed playing stick ball and basketball. As an adult he picked up, racquetball and softball, at times playing on five softball teams at a time, usually as the team pitcher. Golf was his favorite pastime and he was especially proud of achieving two holes in one. He was a great competitor.

He was the boys varsity basketball coach for St. Mary School in Bethel in the 1980s. He also loved being a spectator, attending such sporting events as the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Super Bowls, Final Four Tournaments and Masters Golf Tournaments. More recently he found great joy in cheering his grandchildren on at their sporting events.

In addition to his wife Carol, Bernie is survived by his daughters, Denise Suarez and her husband Joseph, Dana Saidman and her husband Jeff, and Andrea Henry. Bernie was a loving grandfather who adored his five grandchildren, Joseph, Angela, Madeline, Christopher and Jenna. The grandchildren all loved their dear "Slick". He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Bernie was predeceased by his brother, James Henry.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday Oct. 9, in Saint Mary Church, Bethel. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers are requested to be made to Saint Mary School, 24 Dodgingtown Rd., Bethel, CT 06801