The death has occurred of:
Carl Henderson
The family of the late Carl Henderson extends our sincere and heartfelt thanks to all who offered sympathy and support during their recent loss. We are profoundly grateful for the kindness shown by everyone who visited our homes in Crolly and Moira, attended the memorial service at the foot of Mount Errigal, the wakes in Letterkenny and Lurgan, and the funeral itself. To those who sent Mass cards, sympathy cards, flowers, messages of comfort, or offered help in any way - your thoughtfulness has deeply touched us. A special thank you to those who travelled to be with us and to those who joined the funeral Mass online. Your presence, both near and far, brought us comfort and strength during a difficult time.
We are deeply grateful to Patsy Ryan, Jen Shellard and Ian Shellard, who dropped everything and rushed to be with me and the children at the hospital on the day Carl passed away. We would also like to acknowledge the incredible support from the parents in the children's classes, as well as my colleagues and friends at Brookfield Special School. The abundance of food - especially the thoughtfully organised meal rota - has been a tremendous help. Carl would be so proud to see everyone coming together to support us through one of his favourite things: food!
We would like to extend our thanks to Fr. Nigel O'Gallchóir for their spiritual guidance the day after Carl died. Thank you to our cousin Fr. Donnchadh O'Baoill for leading a comforting Holy Rosary at the bottom of Mount Errigal and for officiating the beautiful Requiem Mass. Thanks to Fr. Damien Nejad for praying with us in Letterkenny. Also - a very special mention to our Parish Priest - Fr. Maciej Zacharek for his faith, support, sensitive humour and for leading the Requiem Mass. Thank you to Fr. Connor McConville for his prayerful presence during the funeral.
Our thanks also go to the outstanding Rowandale Integrated Primary School choir for their exceptional musical contributions. The music touched our souls and we know that Carl always enjoyed any school events with the choir. We are grateful to the Parish of Magheralin for preparing the Church so well, the readers and Eucharistic ministers. A heartfelt thank you to Patsy Ryan and Ian Shellard for delivering the eulogy and so beautifully capturing Carl’s friendly, caring nature, his warm sense of humour, and above all, his deep love and unwavering commitment to his family — his wife Caroline, and their children, Aibhilín, Rían, and Caoimhe.
Thank you to all of the staff at Rowandale Integrated Primary School and Knockmore Primary school for supporting Aibhilín, Rían and Caoimhe during the wake, funeral and the difficult days ahead. For everyone that brought footballs, art supplies, toys and played with Carl’s three children during this distressing life event. We are grateful that you afforded the children a chance to be children and play. Thank you to Arena 7 soft play in Letterkenny where the children played too.
A special word of thanks goes to Carl’s friends Aidan, Richard and Kevin and the first responders that delivered CPR on the mountain. To the crew of the Letterkenny land ambulance, a huge amount of respect and thanks for running up the mountain path with the defibrillator and drugs for Carl in record time. The off-duty nurses, paramedics, and doctors that responded and helped Carl within minutes of his collapse. The National Ambulance Service. The Donegal Mountain Rescue Team. The crew of the Coast Guard Rescue 118 helicopter. Dr. Gerry Lane (Emergency Medical Consultant) who rushed to get to Errigal mountain. The doctors and nurses at Letterkenny University Hospital for their outstanding care and compassion shown to Carl. Your kindness has been of great comfort to us during this difficult time.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Globus Ltd, Carl’s employer, for their kindness and support, as well as to the many customers from the PPE industry who reached out with stories, Mass cards, and thoughtful gifts.
Additionally, we wish to thank Edenmore Golf Club, Magheralin, for the excellent catering provided and wonderful space to be together to celebrate Carl’s life. Your support has been deeply appreciated. And to Caitriona Hughes who provided much needed sustenance at the Lurgan wake house, as well as all those who brought supplies to keep us and our many supporters from going hungry and thirsty. Thank you to Paidi Oigs Pub and Crolly Caravan Park for providing a warm meal the day after Carl died.
We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Louise and all of the family team at McAlinden and Murtagh funeral directors for their endless compassion, sensitivity, guidance, and professionalism during what has been an extremely difficult time. The patience shown at the graveside to afford the children time to say goodbye to their Daddy Carl was a touching act of understanding, and one for which we are truly grateful. Our thanks also to Paschal Blake funeral directors, for preparing Carl’s remains and the wake in Letterkenny.
As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, we trust that this acknowledgment will be accepted as a token of our profound gratitude. We are extremely touched by the wonderful family, friends and neighbours that have surrounded us in love, acts of service and prayers during the past month.
Carl’s Month’s Mind Mass will take place on Sunday, June 1st at 11am in St. Patrick and St. Ronan’s RC Church in Magheralin. All welcome to attend in person or online via this link: https://www.facebook.com/share/14FC4YTJNDX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
St. Joseph Patron Saint of Father’s pray for us at this difficult time.