James Donohue Henry of Hinsdale, formerly of Burr Ridge and Westchester, passed away peacefully July 8, 2024, surrounded by family.
Jim was born to Joseph E. and Margaret D. Henry and raised on the south side of Chicago. He lived most of his life in the city's western suburbs. After graduating from Fenwick High School, he attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., graduating in 1956. He earned his juris doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law, became a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, and married Jean, the love of his life, in 1959.
Jim served his country in the Navy and Navy Reserve for 22 years, retiring from the service as lieutenant commander. Following discharge from active duty, he joined Illinois Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T), where he put his law degree to work until he opted for early retirement and opened his private law practice in downtown Hinsdale. After his retirement from private practice, he was a volunteer in the surgical waiting room of Hinsdale Hospital for 12 years. Along with Jean, he was named Volunteer of the Month by the hospital and received Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan's Burr Ridge Citizen of the Year award.
A lifelong Chicago White Sox fan, Jim loved to watch professional, college and even high school sports, basketball in particular. He loved his annual winter month in Arizona, summers with his family at the house in Abbey Springs, Wisc., and to travel the world with Jean. He enjoyed his trips to Ireland, Mexico, Italy, France, and China, but his favorite trips were to Egypt and the Holy Land, where he and Jean renewed their wedding vows at Cana in Galilee.
Jim was a longtime parishioner at St. Isaac Jogues in Hinsdale, and a devoted supporter of St. Ailbe, his grammar school. He loved good company and a good Manhattan. He had an Irishman's gift for storytelling and making strangers feel like long lost friends. He had a good life and his memory will always be treasured.
He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Jean (nee Williams); his children, Laura (the late B. Michael) Kelly, Patrick (Darla), Katie (Rob) Pender, Peggy (Tim) Halik and Maureen (Brendan) Clarke; his grandchildren, Lexie and Braden Henry, Emily and Kara Pender, Teagan and Chase Halik, and Danny and Charlie Zoric; his honorary grandchildren, Mike, Kathryn, and Colleen Kelly and Liam, Owen and Quinn Clarke; his brother, Patrick J. Henry; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Joanne H. Lechwar.
Visitation is at 9 a.m. Monday, July 15, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale.
A funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. at the church.
Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to King-Bruwaert House, 6101 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, IL 60527; or St. Isaac Jogues Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale, IL 60521.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
