Francis “Frank” Henrick — a longtime Staples High School educator and coach, and civic volunteer — died August 23 in Florida, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 88.
He grew up in Andover, Massachusetts. After graduating from Phillips Academy and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he earned a master’s degree at Colby College.
He spent two years in the US Army.
Though Frank’s career plan was to become a doctor, when a teaching job became available at Bristol Eastern High School, he was encouraged to apply by his in-laws.
Frank found his true calling to be teaching. He was enthusiastic about impacting young people’s learning. After 3 years in Bristol, he began his 35-year tenure at Staples, teaching chemistry, physics and math.
He also coached baseball and soccer. In 1969, serving as boys soccer interim head coach when Albie Loeffler was on sabbatical, he won a state championship. Twenty years later, as head coach of the girls soccer team, he won another state crown.
He was an avid tennis player and semi-pro pitcher but enjoyed all sports.
Frank Henrick
Frank volunteered countless hours to different organizations, including the Monroe Jaycees; Assumption Church in Westport, St. John’s Church in Old Saybrook, and St. Thomas More in Sarasota, along with Emmaus, Cursillo, Danbury Prison Ministry, Hospice, the Connecticut Club of Sarasota, and the Little Venice Theater.
He and his first wife, Barbara “Bobbee” had 5 children. They shared 44 years raising their family, and building friendships and fellowship. They retired retired to Old Saybrook and Vero Beach, Florida. Bobbee died in 2003.
Frank was then reunited with, and married, his high school sweetheart, Patricia “Patsy” Doyle in 2004. They spent 20 years together, in Sarasota.
His family says: “Of all the accomplishments in his life, he was most proud of and grateful to God for his wife, family and friends. This is where he truly felt alive, or ‘terrific’ as he so often exclaimed.
“Whether hanging with his ‘kids’ and their families, at a Red Sox spring training game with his brother and the ‘old gang’ from New England, at the CT Club with his ‘old’ teacher friendships and newly formed friendships, playing 45s, dining at his favorite restaurants, or simply working in the yard, he couldn’t help but display a magnificent smile.”
Frank is survived by his wife, Patricia Doyle Henrick; sons Michael (Katrina), Jon (Justine) and Stephen (Gail); daughters Cheryl Henrick and Karen Tedeschi; stepson Lyden (Araceli) Anderson; sister Janemarie Henrick; sister-in-law Marilou Petroff; brother and sister-in-law Steve and Carla Petroff; sister and brother-in-law Eileen and Warren Hastings; 16 grandchildren, 6 great- grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves his long-time best friend Jim Noonan.
In addition to his first wife, Francis was predeceased by his brother George, sister Ann Mulrooney; sister-in-law Sonya Petroff, and stepson Mark Anderson.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, November 2 (1 p.m., Mill River Country Club, Stratford).
Donations in Frank’s memory may be bade to the Alzheimer’s Association.