Jerome "Jerry" Henry Sr. was the father of 17 children, including Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry. He suffered a stroke in May, after which his health slowly declined, family said.
Jerome Henry was likely best known for leading one of the largest Catholic families in the city that not only included the mayor but also local investor Jerry Henry Jr., local businessman Matthew Henry and Tony Henry, who owns the Deer Park Lodge.
But his loved ones, and those he touched throughout his life, will also remember him as someone who cared about the members of his community.
"He was an advocate for social change," said his son, Jerry Henry Jr. "He was a champion of the poor."
He leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Marganelle, and 16 of those children. Tim Henry, one of their sons, died in 1977. Henry also had 57 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.
The family was so large that it made news by having its own bowling league - not team.
Jerome Henry spent more than 20 years serving as director of the Catholic Social Services, starting in 1968. Stephen King, was a counselor who worked with Henry there for 12 years.
"He was just good at supporting people and finding and encouraging the best in us," King said. "He was a man of very deep faith. I'm missing not just a friend but a mentor."
His service there won him the Sagamore of the Wabash award from then Gov. Evan Bayh.
"He was probably the most genuine person anyone could ever meet," Mayor Henry said. "He was truly a public servant. He dedicated his life in the field of social work to be of service to his fellow man, and he lived by that."
In his later years he went on to serve as member of the for Fort Wayne Community Schools board for two terms and continued his involvement in local charities including the United Way and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Fort Wayne.
"He cared an awful lot about the less fortunate in our community whether they were children or adults," said Steve Corona, vice president of the FWCS board. "He was a social worker really in many different ways."
He also described Henry as a man who valued his family.
"He was just a very, very caring person," Corona said.
Growing up, the Henry children didn't have many material things, Jerry Henry Jr. said. But they all received a greater gift - seeing a father love his wife.
"My dad did that every day of their married life," he said. "My dad was very, very proud of his family."
Jerome Henry was especially elated when his son became mayor.
"He was so proud when Tom got elected," Jerry Henry Jr. said.
A lifelong Democrat, Henry ran for office several times himself, although he never won a partisan seat. His children also served as members of the Wayne Township board. Even though the Henry family is linked to Fort Wayne, they didn't always reside here.
A 1944 graduate of Central Catholic High, Henry spent two years serving in the Navy during World War II. After that he moved the family to Indianapolis and went on to earn his master's degree in social work from Indiana University. During that time the current mayor was born.
Employment took the family to Jackson, Mich., for three years, where three more children were born, including the first set of twins, and then to Ann Arbor. He later took a job at the then Fort Wayne State School, and the family lived on the school's farm, next to where Canterbury Green apartments now stand.
An outspoken advocate for social care, Henry served as superintendent of the Indiana State Reformatory in Pendleton for two years, from 1966 to 1968, and pushed for sentencing programs to reward non-violent offenders who exhibited good behavior.
"No one will ever fill his shoes," Tom Henry said. "He was such an addition to our community. He will be missed."
Arrangements are being handled by D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes.
Upon his retirement, he told The Journal Gazette, "I tried to make a difference. I've helped a lot of professionals get started. I've had a beautiful family and a beautiful wife. I've had a great life."
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