Thomas James HENDERSON

HENDERSON, Dr. Thomas James DMV - Passed away peacefully on February 26, 2009 in his 80th year. Thomas was born in Chicago on March 18th,1929, the first child of Robert and Margaret Henderson. He attended school at the University of Toronto in 1949-50 until he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1950. Thomas served in Korea in 1951 and received a Purple Heart and a Gold Star (in lieu of a second Purple Heart). Thomas studied at the Ontario Veterinary College from 1955-59, where he earned a degree in Veterinary Medicine with a doctorate from the University of Toronto. He ran a private practice in Midland from 1960-65. From 1965 to 1975 he worked as a veterinary director to a series of pharmaceutical companies including Connaught Laboratories. In 1975 he returned to a private practice in Orillia area where he worked until 2000. Throughout his career, Thomas had several pursuits. He was a golf professional (1948-50, 1954-58) and following his retirement from Veterinary Medicine, he began work as a wilderness painter. Although he had several interests in life , he was the most passionate about painting and the wilderness- water in particular. Water for me, he said, is comforting: it erodes the roughness of the tugs on my sleeves, made by the demands of worldly life. May he always find water. Thomas is predeceased by his second wife Catherine and survived by his brother Ross and his wife Anne, his first wife Beverley and their three sons Thomas Jr., Cameron, Scott and their families. No ceremony is scheduled following cremation. Donations in Thomas' memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Arrangements entrusted to the GRAHAM A GIDDY FUNERAL HOME 280 St.David St. S Fergus ONT 519 843 3100. www.grahamgiddyfh.com 11428797