Christopher Leo Henriksen, Jr, 84, husband of Margot Tibke Henriksen, of James Island, SC, died March 10th at home surrounded by his family.
Friends and family of Mr. Henriksen are invited to attend a funeral mass on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 11:00 at Church of the Nativity, 1061 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412. Burial and full military honors will be held at 2:00 pm at Beaufort National Cemetery. The family will be receiving guests at McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414 this evening, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.
Mr. Henriksen was born February 21, 1927, in Astoria, Queens, NY, a son of Christopher Leo Henriksen and Ellen Miley Henriksen. He graduated from LaSalle Academy, NYC, NY, and attended Manhattan College. He joined the United States Navy in 1944, and served with Bombing Squadron 4 during WWII. After the war he continued his career with the Navy. During his 26 years of service, Chief Henriksen had tours of duty with US Naval Forces Command – Europe, Special Command Middle East (Lebanon), Sixth Fleet, and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, DC. He served with Airgroup-19 aboard the USS Princeton in Korea. He served two tours in Vietnam, with COMUSMACV and DELTANAVFOR CTF-116. He was among the first to serve on nuclear submarines, as a crew member on the USS Lafayette. Mr. Henriksen retired from the Navy in 1972 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was a purser with the Military Sealift Command for many years, and retired from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in 1996. A man of uncommon intelligence, Chris was fluent in Vietnamese, and had a comprehensive knowledge of world history. His insights into political and current affairs were valued by all. He loved books, his garden, and a good glass of beer. A lifelong Catholic, Chris practiced his faith in many ways, serving at Mass and visiting orphans while stationed in Vietnam. Many benefitted from his quiet acts of kindness. His dignity, strong moral compass and humor continue to inspire all who knew him. He traveled far, but always kept the mountains in his heart. Preceded in death by sister Ellen Roser and brother Arthur F. X. Henriksen. Survived by Margot, his wife of 55 years; daughters Karen Henriksen, Astrid Henriksen, Ingrid Henriksen and her husband Tod Aufiero, Virginia Henriksen and her husband Ahmed Kablan; sisters Alicia Gallivan and Virginia Keeler; and many nieces and nephews. Burial at Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC.
Flowers will be accepted at the funeral home or memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Christopher Leo Henriksen’s memory to Hospice Care of America, 9217 University Blvd. Suite C1D, North Charleston, SC 29406.
Funeral arrangements are provided by McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC. Phone: 843-722-8371.