LINCOLNVILLE — The world became a little brighter when Preston “Presto” Joseph Henderson, 18, was born on a chilly November midterm election afternoon in 2006. That light dimmed when he passed away peacefully at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, Maine, on April 8, 2025, in the loving arms of his mother, father, and two brothers and surrounded by family and friends after a fierce 18-month battle with pediatric brain cancer. Anyone who was lucky enough to bask in his light, was made better for it.

Preston took advantage of all that his Midcoast Maine upbringing had to offer. He enjoyed hiking, spending time at Lincolnville Beach, the Camden Public Library, kayaking, swimming at Fernald’s Neck, and a myriad of other outdoor adventures he and his two brothers could find. He attended Cornerspring Montessori School in Belfast in his early years, was a Cub Scout with Pack 200 earning his Arrow of Light Award and was an altar server at Our Lady of Good Hope in Camden. He loved singing loudly in the car, golden hour late afternoons, perfect sunsets, playing games, building Legos, and making people smile. His favorites included the color purple, Stitch from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Annie’s Mac n Cheese, chocolate Necco wafers, Skittles, Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips, and Twix.

Anyone who has ever struggled through a cancer diagnosis knows that it can be defining. But Preston was so much more than a cancer patient. He could become engrossed in a spectrum of pop culture phenomenons. He was a big fan of anime, most specifically, “One Piece” and had a partiality for the character of Roronoa Zoro. He also had a strong affinity for Asian culture and had hoped to visit Japan someday and see Osaka, Kyoto, the statues in Kumamoto, and climb Mt. Fuji. He felt a bond with legendary actor and martial artist, Bruce Lee, whose words “Be Water, My Friend” helped guide and encourage Preston through his first year of treatment. Other passions, which would command his attention for weeks at a time included Star Wars, the Mandalorian, The Office, Phineas & Ferb, and How to Train Your Dragon, a passion he shared with his brothers and cousin, Aurora.

As his treatments progressed and he had to shave his head for a new device designed to keep the tumors at bay, he rediscovered his love for the animated show, Avatar, the Last Airbender, and found a special connection to the character, Aang, the young bald monk who was tasked with learning to control all the elements and save the world. But it was the words of another character, Uncle Iroh, that resonated most as he navigated his cancer journey. Uncle Iroh is a character, that despite his difficult life, spread positivity and good around him, stopping to help whenever he could. An episode that aired not long before Preston was born honored the voice actor, Mako, who voiced Iroh for the first 2 seasons of the show and in it captured the essence of the character. It also left an indelible mark on Preston when he discovered that the actor died of cancer the same year he was born. One of the quotes from that episode was a daily source of encouragement for Preston. Uncle Iroh is trying to uplift his nephew who is feeling defeated and states, “You must never give into despair. In the darkest of times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.” Hope became a defining theme of his life, and “dwelling in hope” a daily mantra.

His other interests were eclectic and often cyclical. He enjoyed music and was grateful for the lessons he learned with his voice coach Annie Laurita and as part of the Camden Hills Regional High School music program under the direction of Drew Albert. Homeschooled throughout his education, Preston spent a lot of time exploring art through multiple different mediums. He liked pottery, jewelry making, painting, photography, sketching, and sculpting, but it was in the performing arts where he really left his mark.

It was clear from an early age that Preston had a gift for entertaining others. He started dancing with Studio RED at the age of 3 and soon after joined their award-winning competition team, not only winning awards but winning hearts every time he graced the stage. His time on the competition team allowed him the opportunity to travel to dance on stages at Hershey Park, Disney World twice, and out to Hollywood on a scholarship with the Hollywood Summer Tour. Dance was his passion and as he put it, “whenever I start dancing, it just makes me feel alive, makes me feel good, energized, and just happy.” His performances were magic, mesmerizing his audience with the style and grace of the Hollywood greats. In seventh grade, he had the opportunity to audition for his first role at Camden Hills Regional High School in the production of Mary Poppins, the Musical, where he earned the role of Micheal Banks. It was then clear that he was a real triple threat, destined for a future on Broadway. Audiences were fortunate enough to see him in three more productions at CHRHS: Monty Python’s Spamalot as Patsy, Mamma Mia as Sky, and Something Rotten as the Minstrel. He performed in his role of the Minstrel just five weeks after his diagnosis and craniotomy surgery. He would have loved to perform one last time with his friends in his senior production, but cancer had other ideas.

A sensitive soul, he didn’t like seeing anyone sad or in pain and would feel deep empathy and compassion for the needs of others. While shy and quiet, he could make you feel your own significance and value with his radiant smile. A fight with cancer was never part of the plans of a 16-year-old who had just gotten his license 3 months prior and should have been planning for his future, not contemplating his mortality. Despite the months of treatments, roller coaster emotions, and end result, Preston never let cancer diminish his light. To have known Preston is to love him. He was always the brightest light in any room, with a smile that radiated love and a laugh that was as goofy as it was infectious. He lived life with wonder and awe, fought his cancer with grace, and taught everyone what humility looked like. He genuinely cared for people, always putting others’ needs and wants ahead of his own. He believed everyone deserved a seat at the table and had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world. As one of his BBCH nurses eloquently stated, “he was truly sunshine in human form.”

But what Preston loved most in the world was spending time with family and friends. His legacy will live on through those who loved him and who were illuminated by his light including his parents, Gretchen and Steven Henderson; his brothers (and best friends), Wesley and Desmond Henderson; his maternal grandparents, Janis and Gary Ackendorf; his uncles and aunts, J. Luann Henderson, Don and Kathy Henderson, Debbie and Arthur Kline, David and Marci Dunn, Randy and Shari Henderson, Kevin and Michelle Henderson, Victoria and Thomas Randolph, and Abby Eon; as well as cousins Justin Ross, Ashley Ross Josey, Sarah and Rian Corcoran, Alyssa Henderson and Bobby LaBrosse, Rachael and Jonathan Dinsmore, Joshua Henderson, Henry Dunn, Aurora Randolph, Olivia Henderson, Avery Dunn, Nathan Henderson, Cayleb Ross, Caylea Ross, Wyatt and Ella Eon, and Wyatt LaBrosse. He also boasted extended family in upstate New York, Colorado, and Florida. The Hendersons have always embraced everyone like family and so his legacy extends to the friends he made at Camden Hills Regional High School, those he danced with over the years at MOVE: the Initiative, and his Studio RED family, who stood and danced by his side through most of his life.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Lorraine and George Henderson; great aunt, Mary Poirier; and great uncle, Michael Poirier, and great aunt, Dolores Allnock.

A cancer diagnosis can be earth shattering for any family, but especially when it involves a child. The Henderson family has been profoundly moved by the outpouring of love and support from the midcoast community. Their compassion and generosity afforded the family the ability to solely focus on Preston’s treatment and comfort, while also providing them encouragement and strength through prayers and well wishes. Even at the most challenging times, they knew that they were being held aloft by so much love.

The family also knows that in the darkest of times, hope came from many sources. While a simple thank you will never truly convey the gratitude they feel for their medical team and all the resources afforded to them during Preston’s cancer journey, they hope that the public will consider supporting each of them through donation in Preston’s memory so that other families faced with uncertainty can benefit in the same way.

The Maine Children’s Cancer Program was a beacon of hope during their darkest days. Their clear expertise in the treatment of pediatric cancers is only outweighed by the love and devotion they have for their patients. Their treatment was all encompassing, and we are truly grateful for the time they gave us after such a devastating diagnosis. The family will miss seeing them on their bi-weekly visits but will forever consider them family.

A special thank you goes to Maine Health Palliative Care in Scarborough for the incredible care they provided for not only Preston, but for the entire family during the eighteen-month cancer fight. Their approach was holistic and inclusive, helping the family maneuver varied and challenging circumstances through many creative avenues.

Angels do walk the earth and many of them can be found walking the 6th floor of Maine Medical Center in the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital wing. The family’s extended hospital stays, while not what anyone would ever wish for, were made brighter by the incredible nurses, doctors, and staff who cared for them each day and night. Their every need was attended to, and conversations were about more than just medical treatments. This type of care will never be forgotten.

Preston was blessed by the visits of many family members from out of state during his lengthy hospital stay. Ronald McDonald House of Portland Maine opened their doors to comfort them in every way imaginable, from warm hugs and caring conversations to hot meals and snacks, bright areas to relax and congregate, comfortable beds and soothing showers at the end of a long day. These visits to embrace the family would not have been possible without the incredible support of Ronald McDonald House of Portland Maine and their wonderful caring team.

And in those darkest of times, Make A Wish Maine provided the family with a lifeline of hope that was so desperately needed. Preston’s trip to Hawaii gave the family the opportunity to escape a life of appointments, medical treatments, and MRI scans to just enjoy time together as a family. This organization is an incredible resource for families who are living through a nightmare and are just looking for something to hold onto. Please consider supporting them in any way you can.

Preston was determined to beat his diagnosis and fought with everything he had until his last breath. But even the fiercest warriors sometimes fall in battle. He was brave and resilient, but that never diminished his kindness, generosity, or strength of spirit. All who knew him or knew of him have been brightened by his light and are now tasked with carrying on his legacy to Love Like Preston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of the above-named organizations in his name or to the Preston Henderson Benefit Fund to help with memorial expenses. The PrestoStrong Project, is a benefit that will be set up in his memory to continue shining his light into the world. More details will follow as this fund becomes established. Donations can be made to The Preston Henderson Benefit Fund, c/o Machias Savings Bank, 3 Glen Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

A funeral mass is scheduled for April 21, 2025 at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Good Hope in Camden. Parking and seating is limited, therefore a livestream of the service will be available at https://stbrendanparish.net/livestream A celebration of life will be scheduled later in the spring.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5