Norman W. Hensick, Jr.

On July 6, 2025, Norman William Hensick, Jr., was reunited with the love of his life, Betty Gene, when he passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.

Norman was born in Vero Beach, Florida on December 11, 1936, to Norman and Norine Hensick. He loved Vero, and grew up frogging, air boating, fishing, hunting and swimming in this very special place. After graduating from the University of Florida in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction, Norman married Elizabeth (Betty Gene) Bradford on November 15, 1958, and the couple settled in Vero Beach to raise their family.

Norman served in the army National Guard and joined his father and grandfather in the construction firm, William Hensick and Sons, which built many of the iconic buildings still standing in Vero today, including the First Baptist Church, the Vero Beach Community Center, the Citrus Bowl, Portales de Vero and countless residential neighborhoods including Miraflores One and Two, Wood Hollow, The Grove and more. Norman was thrilled when his son, William Bradford Hensick joined him as the fourth generation Hensick in the firm. They worked together, developing Woodlands of Vero Beach and Oslo West Commercial Park, until Norman’s retirement.

Norman learned to fly a plane before he could drive. He loved racking up hours in his Cessna, flying up and down the coast of Florida and to North Carolina and the Bahamas. Later Norman decided he was less pilot and more cowboy, so he traded his plane for some horses and had many adventures trail riding across the country. In Vero, he was happiest when spending time at his horse barn on 1st street, either riding or just ‘piddling’ around with his beloved boxer dogs.

Norman’s generosity reached beyond his family and friends, and he supported many local charities during his lifetime. He and Betty Gene were extremely honored to contribute to the founding of the Hibiscus Children’s Center by donating the land on 12th street where the center now stands.

Norman was the pinnacle of what a husband, father, grandfather, friend and person could be. He was generous, good to his core, curious, deeply funny and fun to be around – right up to the end. He was, as his Vero Beach High School yearbook stated, “tall of stature and kind of heart.” He could fix anything, always had the right tool, and always wanted to help people. His children and grandchildren did not just love him, they adored him in the very sense of the word – and in turn, his children and grandchildren were the very center of his universe. He meant so much to so many and he will be sorely missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to the VNA, who provided both Norman and Betty Gene excellent hospice care and tender comfort in their final days.

We will celebrate Norman’s life at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.