William Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald Henderson of Bruce Beach and Toronto, died Sept. 14, 2022, at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, following a series of illnesses. He was 72. His death leaves an enormous and sad gap in the lives of many people. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Patty (2015). Survived by his four children, Emma (Scott) of St. Albert, Alberta; Kate (Ben) of Gravenhurst; and Taylor Henderson and Graeme Henderson, both of Toronto. The third child of the late Rev. Bill and Peggy Henderson, he was predeceased by his younger sister, Clara (2016); and is survived by his older siblings, Rev. John Henderson (Dorothy) of Waterloo, and Marg Henderson Toronto. Sandy always had a fondness for sports and fitness. After playing football at the University of Toronto, he made his way south on campus to Hart House and worked for more than 30 years as the athletic director. During this time, he also displayed a deep commitment to Hart House Farm in Caledon where he could be found cutting Christmas trees, piling wood, or tending to the farm. His love of sports continued in later years when he worked with Covermaster Inc. Above all else, Sandy will be remembered as a people person. He had a remarkable memory and delighted in connecting people together. He had a tender spot for elderly and vulnerable people and often warmed their hearts with some of his fresh home-baking. His life was full of family, food, sports, laughter, and faith. He had diverse interests and loved sharing the product of his interests with others - namely bee-keeping (Bruce Beach honey), baking (especially countless fruit pies, buns and scones), and homemade maple syrup. Sandy loved stream-fishing and hunted for ginseng and morels in secret places which could not be revealed. He cherished playing hockey each week with long-time friends, and he was an elder at Trinity York Mills Presbyterian Church, Toronto. Bruce Beach, on Lake Huron, held a special place in Sandy’s heart. As a teenager, he delivered bottles of milk along the beach for Kincardine Dairy, a job which was the perfect fit for his outgoing personality. He could talk to every resident of the beach before noon and, for many summers following, he did odd jobs for cottagers. His parents, relatives and, later, Patty’s relatives, all had cottages nearby when Sandy and Patty built a beautiful home on the sandy shores of Lake Huron. The laughter and warmth of the social gatherings were legendary. Sandy never missed the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band Parade on Saturday evenings, Sunday morning baseball at the beach and, at four on Sunday afternoon, you would find him in a little grove on Bruce Beach setting out benches and hymnals for an outdoor Sunday worship. His engaging personality, his extensive friendships, deep loyalties, and his “joie de vivre” will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him. Thank you to Dr. Woo, Dr. Colman and Dr. Moore at Mount Sinai and the attentive nurses. Thanks also to the loving care he received at Toronto Rehab on 9S. Memorial visitation for Sandy will be at the Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, Ontario, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, from 1-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. A memorial service will occur Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, York Mills, 2737 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M2L 1C5. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the following (links available on the funeral home website): • University of Toronto, Hart House Farm, contact donations.management@utoronto.ca, 416-978-0811; • Trinity Presbyterian Church, contact info@mytrinity.ca, 416-477-5136; • Ontario Beekeepers Association, 905-636-0661. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Henderson family. The Bruce Beach Cottagers’ Association is holding a Celebration of Life in honour of Sandy, Saturday, Oct. 8, from 2-5 p.m., at the Bruce Beach golf Club House. |
