PRESQUE ISLE – J. Michael Henderson, 68, passed away Dec. 13, 2013, at a Bangor hospital. He was born May 12, 1945, in Houlton, the son of J. Merle and Gladys I. Henderson (Bell).
Michael is survived by his wife, Susan; children, Heidi and husband, Franscisco Smith, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and J. Nathan Henderson and wife, Angela Gospodarek, of Gorham; stepchildren, Patty Philbrick and partner, Maurice Hewitt II, of Florahome, Fla., Michael Rooney of Easton, Peter Rooney, of Bethlehem, Conn., Barbara and husband, Jerry Michaud, of Perham, Laura and husband, Tim Kearney, of East Hampton, Conn., and Christopher and wife, Jodie Rooney, of Presque Isle; grandchildren, Reed, Graham, Finn Henderson and Maya Smith; 14 stepgrandchildren; siblings, Rebecca Blanchette of Westbrook and Calvin Henderson of Pittsfield; mother, Gladys Henderson of Houlton; nieces and nephews, Tabatha Blanchette, Christopher Henderson, Jason Henderson and Kara Gamertsfelder; and many other loving relatives. He was predeceased by his father, J. Merle Henderson.
Michael graduated from Houlton High School in 1963 and from the University of Maine in 1967 as a member of Phi Eta Kappa. After college he began his career as a Beet Farmer in Houlton. His skills as a “people person” led him to pursue various endeavors in teaching and counseling youth. He was a teacher at South Portland Correction Center, Cape Elizabeth High School and Presque Isle High School. His most recent calling was his own business “Mike’s Maine Pickles.” He became well known throughout New England as the “Pickle Man.”
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at noon Dec. 28, at the Wesleyan Church in Presque Isle. Calling hours are from 11 a.m.-noon. A fellowship following the service will be held in the church hall. In Michael’s memory, a fund has been set up at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth. Donations can be made by check or money order made out to the Fort Williams Foundation and sent to: Fort Williams Charitable Foundation, P.O.Box 6260, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107. Please note on the memo of your check that your donation is made in the memory of J. Michael Henderson.
J. Michael Henderson
