RIP John Henderson
Published 15:14 on 19 Nov 2023
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of long standing BSC member John Henderson, who died peacefully on 6 November 2023 surrounded by his family, just a few days short of his 84th birthday.
John, his wife Pat and their daughters Tania and Nicky joined the sailing club over 40 years ago when the girls began attending Tuesday Night Cadets, and he remained an active member right up until this season.
Although never an officer or committee member, John was a terrific contributor to club life. As a skilled builder he was always happy to help with working parties and would volunteer whenever jobs needed doing. Back in the day when the bar was run by volunteers, he regularly did bar duties, he helped at Tuesday Night Cadets, belonged to the sailing club pool team, was a regular rescue boat crew (our photo shows him lounging on the aft deck of Brightlight) and would also help Pat out in the galley.
John had a mischievous sense of humour, loved a good chat and a beer and was a very popular regular at the club bar. He was also a good crew and sailed in a multitude of boats over the years including the GP14s with Dave Draper, Ian Cruickshank, Bob Sims and Ian Cole, the BOD with Alan Hicks and in Sonatas with Geoff Payne. His love of sailing and a good yarn lasted right up to the end, with his carers regularly being regaled with tales of open meeting adventures and race successes.
In recent years John's health had been poor, but he was not one to let a little bit of ill health get in his way, and once he got his hands on a mobility scooter there was not stopping him. He would get down to the club most days to check on things, chat with whoever was around and grab a sneaky drink while Pat wasn't looking if the bar was open!
John is survived by Pat, Tania and Nicky and their husband's Chris and Murray, and his grandchildren Issy, Jack, Thomas and Enzo, of whom he was incredibly proud. He will be much missed by all at BSC, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this most difficult time.
John's funeral will take place at Wheely Crematorium at 11.45 on 7th December and will be followed by a gathering at the club. The family have requested no flowers but ask that donations be made instead to St Helena Hospice.
Last updated 12:28 on 4 March 2024
