George Henderson, 95

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — George Thomas Henderson, 95, formerly of Epworth Arms and BerkshireTown Apartments, died Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Mt. Greylock Care Facility.

Born in Pittsfield on September 9, 1923, the son of Thomas J. and E. Grace Ross Henderson, he and his late sister, Ann Flynn Hutwelker, were raised by their maternal grandmother, Lizzie Maude Ross. George was a 1941 graduate of Pittsfield High and a 1947 graduate of the Austin School of Beauty Culture in Albany, N.Y. He was first employed as a hair stylist, and later as a salesman at the former Rosenfeld Men’s and England Brothers Department Store. 

He later found his calling as a Substance Abuse Counselor with the Berkshire Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, where he was highly regarded by his peers for his compassion and integrity. He retired in December 1989 with 15 years of assistance to clients. 

The longest living member of Pilgrim Memorial Church, Mr. Henderson had been a Sunday School teacher, President of the Young People Fellowship, and sang in the choir.

George was legally blind and a member of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. Despite failing eyesight, he organized a Tenants Association at Epworth Arms. At Berkshire Town, he shared his love of musical theatre with the tenants presenting DVD concerts and movies, and was a member of the Bible study group. He also enjoyed traveling, walking, and time with family.

Mr. Henderson is survived by his brother-in-law, Walter Hutwelker of Mount Dora, Fla.; nephews William, Robert, Richard and Michael Hutwelker; and great nephews, great nieces and cousins.

He was predeceased by a niece, Kathryn A. Hutwelker.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for George Thomas Henderson will be held Saturday, September 22, 2018, at 11 a.m., at the Martin Memorial Chapel at Pittsfield Cemetery with Donna J. Swiers, Lay Minister of Pilgrim Memorial Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Chapel Hill section of the Cemetery. 

There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pilgrim Memorial Church in care of Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield.