Christopher William Perry Henry

Christopher William Perry Henry died April 6, 2022 in Portland, Maine at age thirty-two.  He was born in Portland on September 9, 1989 and grew up in a Navy family in Silver Spring, Maryland; Bath, Maine; San Diego, California; Washington, DC; Highland Park, Illinois; and Scarborough, Maine.  He graduated from Cheverus High School in Portland.

Although accepted to the University of Maine at Orono, he chose wartime service and enlisted in the Marine Corps, asking to be assigned to the infantry.  After completing boot camp at Parris Island, he reported to Camp Lejeune.  He spent two tours in Afghanistan on the very front lines, both witness to and subject of many of the horrors of that conflict.  This troubled him for the rest of his life.

After honorable discharge from the Marines, he lived in Maine, Mississippi, Georgia and most recently Manistee, Michigan.  He attended Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, Maine; Darton College in Albany, Georgia; and Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.

He was very loyal to his fellow Marines and the intense friendships forged in service.  Those who died before him took a grievous toll.  He grew more spiritual in recent years, reading the bible, listening to sermons and religious music, meditating, and exploring possible conversion to Judaism.  Like many who have seen and lived the monstrosities of war, he questioned its necessity.

Chris had a lifelong love for and special connection to animals.  As a young boy sitting on a seawall at his grandparent’s home in Florida, a pelican came and sat beside him, as if he were the most natural companion.  He relished long hikes with his dog, Simba.  Kindness and generosity were defining traits and Chris would reach out to support anyone in need, be it a friend or new acquaintance.  He was a talented artist growing up and played a mean game of chess.  His smile and laugh brightened many lives.

He is survived by his mother, Dr. Mary Macy, and step-father, Jeffrey Parsons of Brewer, Maine; his father, Donald Henry, and step-mother, Dr. Lynn Smolik, of Fulton County, New York; his brother, Nicholas Henry, of Portland, Oregon; his step-brother, Nicholas Parsons, of Moab, Utah; and cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.  He is predeceased by his grandparents, Gene and Shirley Macy of Hennessey, Oklahoma, and Harriet and Merton Henry of Scarborough, Maine.  He is also survived by his beloved dog, Simba.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28th at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland, Maine.  He will be interred at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Road, in Augusta, Maine, at 10:00 a.m. on April 29th.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be directed to the Bangor Area Recovery Network, 142 Center Street, Brewer, Maine, 04412; Unity North Atlanta, 4255 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, Georgia; or a charity of your choosing supporting veterans or animal welfare.