Mr. Bancroft Winslow Henderson, Jr.

BANCROFT W. “BUZZ” HENDERSON

Bancroft Winslow Henderson, Jr. died on October 10, 2009 in Vero Beach, FL. He was born on October 9, 1917 in Montclair, NJ, the son of the late Bancroft W. Henderson, Sr. and Emma May Isley Henderson. He is survived by his wife Lesley Anne Henderson.

Together, they were avid New England boaters abroad their Hatteras “Lamb Chop”, and were successful breeders of Shropshire sheep, winning top honors with the champion flock throughout the U.S. and the Chicago International Livestock Show. He had several hobbies including collecting Napoleonic Soldiers and the building of fine ship models.

He was a lifetime member of the American Jersey Cattle Club, Past President of the American Shropshire Registry Association, and served 7 years as the President of the Southern Rhode Island Animal Rescue League.

He has a distinguished career as faculty member of the University of Rhode Island in the Department of Animal Science for 35 years. He retired in 1981 as Professor and Past Chairman of the Department. He published numerous Scientific Journal Articles, and is a member of Alpha Zeta Honor Society. He holds degrees of BS Iowa State University, MS University of Rhode Island and PhD Rutgers University. He served at Point Judith Yacht Club and the Power Squadron in Rhode Island and was a member of the Dunes Club all in Narragansett, RI.

In 1982 they retired from Rhode Island and joined the Vero Beach Boat Club and the Vero Beach Yacht Club. “Buzz” was the co-founder of the club’s “Blessing of the Fleet” inaugurated in 1984, and was the founder of the “Skippers’ Table”. He served as Commodore of the yacht club in 1987 and was a member and Chapter Past President of the International Order of the Blue Gavel, Past Commodore’s Organization.

He is survived by his best friend and wife, Lesley; children, Bancroft W. Henderson III of Ashville, NC (and wife Jane); Roderick Henderson of Warwick, RI (and wife Gail), Frank Crook Long of Narragansett, RI, Robert A. Long of Brookline, MA and Mary Jane Long of Wakefield, RI; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach, P.O. Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961 or the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 in memory of Buzz.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Vero Beach. An urnment will follow at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL.