THOMASTON — Elwyn Frank Henderson, 89, passed away peacefully at home with his children by his side, Tuesday evening, September 7, 2021.

Born in Thomaston, December 26, 1931, he was the son of Charles and Grace “Lois” Cushman Henderson.

Elwyn spent his childhood on Wadsworth Street and was a graduate of Thomaston Academy in 1950. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and was on the Town Fire Patrol during WWII. As a freshmen in high school, Elwyn patrolled all of Beechwood Street to the Warren Town line on his bicycle.

Throughout his teen years, Elwyn held several different jobs. He raked blueberries for Black and Gay’s Canning Company, stacked lumber for a saw mill owner in Warren and later found he could earn more money digging
clams.

During the Korean War he joined the Air Force and was based at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. He was assigned to the camera shop, where he maintained reconnaissance cameras on RB-36 bombers, the Peacemaker. During his first year in the service he returned home to marry the love of his life, Bertha “Betty” Penney; it was of course, during hunting season.

Once out of the military, he and Betty, along with their son, Michael, returned to Maine and lived in Warren.

Elwyn worked for his father on his poultry farm while digging clams at the same time. Eventually he and Betty bought the poultry farm and kept it running until 1972. During that period they also bought the Thompson Poultry Farm which is where Ridge View Drive is now.

He and his wife built their house behind the family farm in 1956 and 1957 and raised their family there. Once out of the poultry business he teamed up with his friend and brother-in-law and started building homes as H&P Builders, and the two stuck with it to retirement.

Elwyn always enjoyed being in the woods. He often recounted his wonderful memories of hunting the Stahl’s Hill – Far Meadow area. In the late 1950s through the 70s he looked forward to deer hunting trips in Northern Maine with his sons, brother Wendall, brother-in-law Russell, cousin Bill and friend Henry. Together they tented deep in the north woods and usually returned from their trip with trophy bucks.

He had a love for photography, proven by the number of photos of his wife and children during birthdays, holidays and many family outings. He took many beautiful landscape and wildlife photos as he traveled all fifty states, Alaska being his favorite and one he visited multiple times. His love of travel was passed down to his children, and they all have treasured memories of their family trips. They all said he was always patient and took his time during family trips, never driving the same route twice, and always taking them to see new sights. He had a love of rocks, gem stones and gold prospecting and at one point built a beautiful hearth and chimney for his camp with stones he had collected from around the country.

Elwyn was a calm, quiet, wise man who could often be heard saying “Man doesn’t have the ability to direct his own footsteps.”

He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by his parents; his beloved wife, Betty; two brothers, Wendall and Sherrill; as well as two sons, Mark A. Henderson and Steven R. Henderson; Elwyn is survived by his children, Michael Henderson and his wife Barbara of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Marilyn Wilson and her husband Donald of St. George, Peggy York and her husband Dennis of Cushing, and Frank Henderson and his wife Diane of Thomaston; eleven grandchildren, Michelle Thompson, Kirsten Trim, Kevin Henderson, all of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kati Hillgrove of Cushing, Holly Markwith of Warren, Kevin Vinal of Port Clyde, Dennis York, Jr. of Cushing, Jeremy York of Warren, Heather Fogg of Owls Head, Rebecca Henderson of South Thomaston, Thomas Henderson of Warren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; as well as several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside celebration of life with Military Honors will be held Friday, September 24, 2021, at 11 a.m,, at Village Cemetery, Erin Street, Thomaston.

To share a memory or condolence with the Henderson Family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.