C. John Henderson

C. John Henderson, 94, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully on Saturday at Menorah Park of CNY. He was born to Helen Marie and Andrew B. Henderson on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1929, in the Henderson farmhouse on State Fair Blvd., Baldwinsville. John was a 1947 graduate of Baldwinsville Academy and went to work at Continental Can Co. in February 1951. An Army veteran of the Korean War, he served in the 7th Infantry Division and was sent to Korea from August 1951 to May 1952. After his discharge in November 1952, John returned to Continental Can Co. until 1957. Then, he began his 31-year career at Crucible Specialty Metals, first working in the Vacuum Melt Shop from 1957 to 1961 and then the Production Control Dept., retiring in 1988. John was an active member of Immanuel United Methodist Church. He was also past president of the Camillus Seniors and CatFISH, and volunteered with Upstate University and Echo Meals on Wheels. 

John was brought up on a dairy farm where growing tobacco was a major crop. He would give talks on farm life and growing tobacco. He raised tobacco at the Erie Canal in Camillus and showed them during Towpath Days. 

John was predeceased by his first wife, Dolores; stepson, Jeffery Wells; step-grandson, Jacob Wells; parents, Andrew and Helen Henderson; sisters, Arres Burritt, Alice Steves, and Mary Cleverly; and brothers, Robert, James, Harry, Andrew, and Donald.

Surviving are his wife of 37 years, the former Doris (Gray) Wells; sons, David (Pamela) of Camillus, and Dana (Jean) of Rochester; step-sons, Peter (Connie) Wells of Skaneateles, and David (Joan) Wells of Watertown; step-daughters, Lisa (Steve) Stevenson of Hastings, and Margaret Wells of Baldwinsville; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three step-great-great grandchildren; sister, Helen Roe of Baldwinsville; and many nieces and nephews.

To celebrate John’s life, relatives and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, August 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Immanuel United Methodist Church, Camillus. A funeral service will follow at the church. 

John will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Immanuel United Methodist Church, 303 Kasson Rd., Camillus, NY 13031.