James F. Henderson

James F. Henderson, a resident of Venice, FL and formerly of New Windsor, NY, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2015. He was 95 years of age. The son of the late William J. Henderson and Loretta Martin Heinz, he was born in Newburgh, NY on September 13, 1919. James attended St. Patrick's School, where he had served as an altar boy and sang as a tenor in the school choir. After graduating from Newburgh Free Academy in 1937 and inspired by a love for cooking, he relocated to Ormond Beach, FL to work in the restaurant industry. He moved to Pensacola, FL where he was employed in the San Carlos Hotel. At the start of WWII he was employed in Boston, MA. While working at the Samoset Hotel in Rockport, ME he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received his orders to report for duty on October 2, 1941. James attended boot camp in Newport, RI where he completed a Navy training course for Chief Commissary Steward. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from October 1941 through January 1944 on the U.S.S. Chenango - ACV28, which was honored with a commendation for their role in the Pacific Conflict. After returning from duty, James married the love of his life, Katherine Konazewski on April 14, 1947 at St. Mary's Church in Newburgh, NY. They shared 61 wonderful years together. They raised their four children in New Windsor where the family enjoyed many hobbies together: downhill skiing, camping, cooking, motorcycles, cars, hockey skating, and tennis. He also enjoyed square dancing, listening to opera and classical music, and playing the organ and the violin! He was employed by the Bell Telephone Company where he held positions of lineman, cable splicer, deskman, trouble shooter, and supervisor. James and Kay were active members of the telephone Pioneers and were members of Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh. James was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, uncle and friend; he will be greatly missed by all who were lucky to know him. He is survived by his loving children; Nina Altman Weeks(Douglas), Michael J. Henderson, Mark A. Henderson (Stasia), and Daniel L. Henderson (Caren), wonderful grandchildren; Courtney, Jason, Kyle (Jacquie), Liam, Ryan, Mica(Michele), Shane, Hayley, Stephen, and Connor, and his adorable great grandchildren, Ella Henderson and Archer Altman. He is also survived by his brother-in-law and friend Kenneth Hickok, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Katherine Konazewski on May 4, 2008, his brother Joseph and his wife Marguerite, and sister-in-laws Eleanor Hickok and Florence Perkowski. Memorial services will be held in Venice, FL and Newburgh, NY at a later date. Donations can be made in Jim's honor to the Wounded Warrior's Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675, or through their website, woundedwarriorproject.org. Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.