Bancroft Winslow Henderson, Jr. died on Oct. 10, 2009 in Vero Beach. He was born on Oct. 9, 1917 in Montclair, N.J., the son of the late Bancroft W. Henderson, Sr. and Emma May Isley Henderson. He is survived by his wife Lesley Anne Henderson.
Bancroft and Lesley were avid boaters abroad their Hatteras “Lamb Chop,” and were successful breeders of Shropshire sheep, winning top honors with the champion flock throughout the U.S. and the Chicago International Livestock Show. He had several hobbies including collecting Napoleonic soldiers and the building of fine ship models. He had a distinguished career as faculty member of the University of Rhode Island in the Department of Animal Science for 35 years. He retired in 1981 as professor and past chairman of the department. He published numerous Scientific Journal articles.
In 1982 Henderson retired and joined the Vero Beach Boat Club and the Vero Beach Yacht Club. He was the co-founder of the club’s “Blessing of the Fleet” inaugurated in 1984, and was the founder of the “Skippers’ Table.” He served as Commodore of the yacht club in 1987.He is survived by his loving wife, Lesley; children, Bancroft W. Henderson III of Ashville, N.C. (and wife Jane); Roderick Henderson of Warwick, RI (and wife Gail), Frank Crook Long of Narragansett, R.I., Robert A. Long of Brookline, Mass., and Mary Jane Long of Wakefield, R.I.; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Vero Beach, P.O. Box 644, Vero Beach, 32961 or the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, 32960 in memory of Buzz.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Vero Beach. An urnment will follow at a later date.
