Thomas L. "Tom" Henry

Thomas (Tom) Lee Henry, 72, of Venice died at sunset October 27. Born on February 21st 1942, his birthday was always around President’s Day. He was the only son of Edwin and Helen Henry. Born and raised in Covington, KY he made his hometown his stomping grounds for the majority of his life. He attended Kentucky Military Institute from 1955-1961 spending each winter in Venice. The lessons he learned there ultimately led to his career of being “social behavior regulator” as he called it, most of us know it as being a policeman. He believed in giving back. Professionally, he was a member of the National & International Fraternal Order of Police, Kentucky Association Chiefs of Police and on the Citizens Commission on Child Abuse & Neglect. He also trained as one of the first EMT’s in the country when the program became available. Besides being a policeman he was involved in Boy Scouts: Assistant Scout Master, Assistant District Commissioner, National Merit Badge Council and graduate of the National Camping School and Wood Badge Eastern Course. He also used those skills when he helped with the Junior Zoologists for 7 years. He was a founding member of the Northern Kentucky Family Crisis Center. Board member of the Covington Family Health Center, serving 7 of his 11 years as Chair. He also was a founder of the Rape Crisis Center, on the board of the Brighton Center, St. Benedicts Parrish Council and a Power Squadron member. A few years after his retirement as a policeman, he continued his role in protecting the community by becoming the head of security at Thomas More College and becoming a member of the International Association of College Law Enforcement Executives. He also was a member of the Covington Rotary club serving as President and received the Paul Harris Fellow. He joined the Knights of Columbus and had his 3rd & 4th degree. Volunteer for the Red Cross for 20 years . Tom’s life was about service to others. He helped where ever there was a need. He did many great things but the best part about him was his sense of humor and his genuine love and care for other human beings. If you are reading this, whether you knew him or not, he would ask that you pay your blessings forward. Tom is survived by Mary Ann, his wife of 48 years (really 55 since they dated for 7 years before getting married), his daughter Susan (Charles)McBride, Associate daughters Julie Helligrath and Pam Poindexter, grand children Ian and Sean McBride, brother in laws George (Lyn) Scheper, Charlie (Sharon) Scheper, sister in laws Geralyn (Fred) Wichman and Carol Floyd and 8 nieces and nephews, 9 great nieces and nephews. Many special thanks to those who cared for him in his last weeks, especially Tidewell Hospice, Dr. Paul Gonter and Dr. Bradley Hupp. Memorial Mass in Venice Florida at the Epiphany Cathedral Monday, November 3rd at 11 AM. Memorial Service in Ft. Wright Civic Center, Ft. Wright, KY Saturday, November 8th from 2-5 pm., service at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Northern Kentucky Children’s Home, Covington Rotary, Wounded Warrior Project or your favorite charity.