Keith "Survivor" John Henson

Keith John “Survivor” Henson, 74, of Glastonbury and Old Lyme, loving husband of 54 years of Rita (Ianni) Henson, passed gently in his sleep surrounded by his caring family on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Hartford on October 7, 1951, a son of the late Richard W. and Lillian (Fischer) Henson, Sr., he had been a resident of the East Hartford/Glastonbury area for most of his life. A beach enthusiast, he loved spending his summers the past 50 years at the family cottage at Miami Beach in Old Lyme. He also became a “snowbird” four years ago and looked forward to spending the winter months down at The Villages in Florida.

A devout catholic, Keith was a communicant of St. Paul’s Church in Glastonbury, and a former communicant of St. Augustine Church in Hartford and served as an altar boy as a young boy. He also attended St. Augustine Elementary School in Hartford where he was a member of the Boys Brigade. Keith was a graduate of East Hartford High School, class of 1969 and was a captain and star of the boys’ basketball team. He was the longtime record holder for the greatest number of consecutive foul shots made in school history. Keith was a proud U.S. Army National Guard veteran and a member of the American Legion Post # 347 in Lady Lake, FL. Keith was the owner and operator of Douglas Garage Door Center, Inc. in East Hartford for over the past twenty years and he formerly worked for over eleven years at Lavalle Overhead Door, Inc. in South Windsor.

An avid sports fan, Keith was a loyal fan of the UConn men’s basketball team, New York Giants football team, and golf. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends and family, especially when he was in Florida. He enjoyed grilling and eating good food, and regularly patronized Bricco’s Restaurant in Glastonbury/West Hartford, and Augie & Rays in East Hartford. Most of all, Keith was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and family man who cherished each moment spent with his entire family.

Along with his beloved wife Rita, Keith is survived by a daughter, Dineen H. Fichman and her husband Jon of Spring Hill, FL; a son, Keith J. Henson, Jr. of Manchester; and three adored grandchildren, Isabella Fichman and Grayson Fichman both of Spring Hill, FL, and Elliana Villegas of Pawtucket, RI. He also leaves behind one brother, Jeffrey M. Henson, and his wife Jennifer of Somers; several nieces, nephews, cousins, former customers, and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Keith was predeceased by a brother, Richard “Rick” Henson, Jr. of East Hartford; a sister, Gail Henson-Rosati and her husband James Rosati of Manchester.

Funeral service will be Tuesday (June 30, 2026) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 am in St. Isidore and Maria Parish at St. Paul’s Church, 2577 Main Street, Glastonbury. Military honors will follow directly after the mass outside the front of the church. All attendees are asked to please go directly to the church on Tuesday morning. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Keith’s family will receive relatives and friends at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Monday (June 29, 2026) from 4 – 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Keith’s name may be made to Boy’s Town, P.O. Box 6000, Boys Town, NE 68010 or to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com