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John Donaldson Henderson, 103, of Vero Beach, FL., formerly of Glen Rock, N.J. and Greensburg, PA died 8 September 2019 at Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach. Born 8 November 1915 in Tarrytown, NY, to the late Thomas S. and Ada W. L. Henderson, John grew up in Southampton where he spent as much time as he could on the beach and in the ocean.
He graduated from Cornell University in 1937, where he met his future wife, Sharrot Mayer (Cornell, Class of 1937). In November 1940, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he was first stationed at Mitchel Field on Long Island and then was transferred to Langley Field in Virginia for training. He went overseas in December 1943 with his unit, the 447th Signal Construction Battalion of the Ninth Air Force, where they continued training in England in preparation for a move to the Continent. They landed on Omaha Beach in July 1944 and moved through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, ending up in Germany. After the War, John and Sharrot made their home in Glen Rock, where he became President of Harder Jersey Pest Control and a director of the Glen Rock Savings and Loan.
He was a member of the Rotary Club in Ridgewood and has continued his membership in the American Legion Post 145 in Ridgewood. After retirement, they moved to Greensburg. After Sharrot’s death in 1989, John moved permanently to Florida, first residing in Boynton Beach and then moving to Indian River Estates, Vero Beach in 2003. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach.
In retirement, John enjoyed raising orchids, many of which graced the lobby when they were in bloom. In addition, he loved to travel and take photographs, having been to many countries and having many adventures.
John is survived by his two children; Mrs. P. Louis (Joan) DeRose of Greensburg and Dr. Stephen W. Henderson (Kathryn) of Covington, GA; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A private family memorial will be scheduled for a later time.