Fred Hamilton Henderson, Sr., aged 76, passed away peacefully at his home in The Villages, Florida, on January 11, 2026. After a courageous 22-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, he remained upbeat and resilient, inspiring those around him with his unwavering spirit and sense of humor.
Henderson was born in 1949 and graduated from Trinity High School in 1967. He pursued a degree in Journalism at Point Park College, where he first began to make his mark. Following his marriage to Margaret Truax Henderson on April 17, 1971, he served in the Army Reserves from 1971 to 1977. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 1974 and committed to his Catholic faith at St. Michael’s in Levittown, Pennsylvania.
Throughout his life, Henderson was actively involved in his community. As a member of the Knights of Columbus for 25 years, he contributed significantly to charitable activities, including working at charity bingo games at Prince of Peace. His Irish heritage was acknowledged when a DNA test revealed he was 19% Irish, leading him to join the Hibernians after relocating to The Villages.
Henderson’s career provided him with the opportunity to live in various locations, including Washington, Pennsylvania; Langhorne, Pennsylvania; Levittown, Pennsylvania; and multiple cities across Florida. He retired in 2012 to settle in The Villages, where he continued to engage with the community. His love for travel took him to destinations such as Ecuador, the Panama Canal, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy.
Sports were integral to Henderson’s life. While he ran track in high school, his enthusiasm for athletics extended into adulthood as he played golf, tennis, and bowling, and even tried pickleball. He was a dedicated fan of Penn State and the Pittsburgh Steelers, actively participating in the local sports culture. His greatest joy, however, came from supporting his children and grandchildren in their various endeavors, from academics to sports.
Henderson is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Margaret; his children, Fred Jr. (Erin), Christopher (Erica), and Heather Kitchel (Jason); and six grandchildren: Cole, Mason, Stevie, Johnnie, Logan, and Gabe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine Jane Henderson and Fred Chester Henderson, as well as his sister, Joyce Henderson Thornburg, and brother-in-law, Dave Thornburg.
In a final act of generosity, Henderson donated his brain to Shands for Parkinson’s research, hoping to contribute to the understanding and treatment of the disease that challenged him for over two decades. His legacy of kindness, humor, and strength will be remembered by many.
As the community of The Villages reflects on his life, friends and family are encouraged to honor Fred Henderson’s memory by participating in local events and supporting charitable causes he championed.
