Phil Henderson

Philip Charles Henderson (“Phil”) died peacefully at age 85, surrounded by his loving family, in Canton, Massachusetts after battling Parkinson’s disease for seven years. Phil was an industrious soul who rarely sat still. He worked hard, nurtured his family, and took great pleasure in classical music – especially when performed by his three children, two of whom grew up to be professional musicians. With his witty sense of humor, never-ending curiosity, and warmth, Phil always made people feel welcome.

Phil was well-known for his intelligent and wise counsel in both business and social circles, and his joy in helping others. He was a consummate gentleman who showed up authentically and with a confidence that put others at ease and made him popular. He also had a playful side that endeared him to family and friends alike. Phil naturally served others, but above all he loved people, and people loved him.

Born to Dale and Mildred Henderson on September 20, 1940, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Phil was the star quarterback and 1958 valedictorian of Sapulpa High School. He continued his athletic career at the United States Naval Academy; a highlight of his college years was competing in the 1961 Orange Bowl. After serving five years in the U.S. Navy, where he earned a Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, Phil left active duty as a Lieutenant in 1967. He then earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and spent more than five decades running and building healthcare technology companies around the world.

In 1967 Phil and Terry Drew were introduced by Terry’s cousin, Mike, who was also Phil’s Sapulpa High School classmate. Terry quickly became the love of Phil’s life, and the two were married in July 1969. They built their life together around shared values of commitment to family, adventure, and lifelong learning. They raised three children and Phil took enormous pride in being a father and, later, “Poppy” to his three cherished granddaughters.

Phil held dear the Jewish concepts for how to live, and its songs and traditions. He and Terry built a Jewish home, with particular dedication to the high holidays and Shabbat. For more than five decades, Phil and Terry hosted lively and fun-filled Passover seders with family and lifelong friends. Phil delighted in grilling and smoking delicious meats, playing and watching sports, building businesses, traveling the world, and kayaking and hiking in Maine every summer with his beloved wife.

Phil is survived by his wife, Terry Henderson; children Karen (Jordan) Green, Daniel (Bethany) Henderson, and Dale (Moitreyee Sinha) Henderson; granddaughters Adi Rose and Eliana Henderson and Nicole Green; brothers Gary (Sue) Henderson and Keith (Cindy) Henderson and sister-in-law Susie Henderson. He was predeceased by his parents, Henry Dale Henderson and Mildred Katz Henderson and his older brother Les Henderson.

Funeral services will be held at the Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington St., Canton on Sunday, February 1st at 1pm, with livestream viewing available using the following link: https://www.levinelive.com/philliphenderson

Burial will be at Sharon Memorial Park at 40 Dedham St., Sharon, and shiva will be held at [the Cove Community Room at] Orchard Cove Retirement Community, 1 Del Pond Dr, Canton, MA 02021.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://give.michaeljfox.org or The American Jewish Committee at https://donate.ajc.org/give/596773.