Thomas Dean Henshaw, 77, of Smithville, Ohio, passed away July 8, 2024, surrounded by family and friends.
Born on February 6, 1947, to William and Helen (Wylie) Henshaw, in Wooster, Ohio, Tom was the oldest of four children. After graduating from Smithville High School in 1965, he served in the U.S. Army in Germany as a tank mechanic from 1966 to 1968. After receiving his honorable discharge, he worked for Ohio Power/AEP for 40 years. When he retired, he enjoyed golfing with friends, boating with his family, traveling, and spending the winters in Florida with his wife and friends.
Tom married Patricia (O’Hail) Henshaw on December 13, 1969. Together, they raised three children, Thomas P. Henshaw, Erin (Jay) Martin, and Megan (Henshaw) Long. He was a big believer in family and led them with integrity and a strong work ethic. He, and Pat, enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren grow up. Alexandra, Cullen, Broden, Alec, and Grayson will always know they had the best Papa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and many aunts and uncles. He was especially close to his Uncle John, as they helped each other farm and raise market lambs. Tom is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also leaves behind his siblings, Janet, Joan, and Doug, their spouses, a sister-in-law, Vickie, nieces, nephews, and many friends and neighbors.
Whether you knew him as Tom, “TD”, Dad, or Papa, you knew he was a solid man, who was always there to lend a hand, share a laugh, or hit a golf ball. He not only was a most beloved husband and father, he was also a rock to many others who shared their time and memories with him over these final days. There are no words to fit all his attributes on this page, but if you knew him, know you were always loved and protected.
Dad, may the yard always be perfect, the skies always clear, and the water always warm. May your days be filled with golfing, boating, and water skiing. May there always be a joke ready, and a car to tinker on. We know you will hold the fort down, until we meet you again. The family would like to thank all for the love and support given to Dad over these last few weeks. It gave us peace to see the love he shared with all of you. We are proud to say he is our Husband and Dad, and comforted to know we are not alone in our grief, as we say our final good-bye. We would also like to thank Wooster Community Hospital, Wexner Cancer Center, and Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, for their care and compassion over these last 6 months.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster. Private inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family at Wayne Presbyterian Cemetery.
Friends will be received on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
I was privileged to work with your dad at AEP – he was always willing to not only work very hard but to also teach those who worked with him – loved that twinkle in his eye and mischievous grin – he was one you knew you could count on – most importantly he loved his family and was so proud of you all – may you feel God’s arms wrapped around you
The henshaw family ,so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing
Pat, so sorry to hear of your loss. May God surround you with his love and care.
Pat and family…Never enough words to say how much pleasure we received knowing Tom…. always smiling and laughing and spreading joy wherever he went. Prayers, hugs and thoughts to all.
My sincere sympathies to Pat & the entire family. Cancer stinks. I’m sorry that I will be out of state for the services. Please know that I am praying for you all.
Dear Pat and family,
Phil and I were so sad to hear of Tom’s passing. He was such a special person, so kind and always ready to help. We will always remember the good times and so many laughs we had with him. May you and your family be blessed during this very difficult time and be filled with all the wonderful memories of Tom. He will be so missed
Sending my deepest sympathies for your loss. I always enjoy running into Tom and Patricia, he was always the calm but humorous of the group. I do remember a particular soccer game our kids were playing. I believe us lady got a bit excited, not Tom. After that, I looked forward to running into them anywhere in town. Great family man, husband and all around great person. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
Condolences to the family and thank you for his service to our country.
Tom, his cousins, John Sleesman and Jay Sleesman and I were friends and coworkers during portions of the 1960’s. He was one of the “Herbs” in our group. After leaving Wooster in 1969, I saw Tom once in the 1970’s outside my parents’ home. I heard a voice from above calling to me, “Hey, Herb”. It was Tom working on a utility pole outside the home. We spent time reminiscing about happy times together. During another trip to Wooster, I met, while at a restaurant, his then waitress granddaughter. Her eyes lit up while talking about her cool grandfather. About ten years ago I met at a hotel one of his mother’s sisters, visiting from the Dallas area. Isn’t it great striking up conversations with strangers who ultimately are related to your friends. His Aunt also showed current pictures of his cousins, the Spott sisters whom I also knew.
I am impressed but not surprised that Tom stayed true to whom he was in the 1960’s. He was friendly, kind and funny. I cherish the times I spent with him and his extended family. God bless Tom and his extended family. Heaven is now a happier place with his presence.
So sorry for your loss. I work at United Titanium and would often see Tom mowing around the building on Geyers Chapel, or the ditch area on Smithville Western. Cancer sure does stink – hold tight to all your wonderful memories and know he is no longer in pain and suffering. Sending prayers to your entire family during this time. God bless you.
Our Heart Felt Condolences to the Henshaw Family: Became aquatinted with Tom and Pat since 1969 being employed with Tom on the Line Crew Wooster Ohio Power. We worked a lot of trouble calls beginning the 1969 Flood, 1978 Blizzard, new and rebuild jobs of Distribution/Transmission and out of State Storms. Was one not to back down from a difficult job as we both served in the Military our motto was “can be done….just takes a little longer”. We laugh together and shake our heads together at unbelievable events just thinking we saw it all then something new would happen. Our friendship included numerous activities away from Ohio Power with his family and ours. Our friendship continued after our retirement’s visiting us in Florida. Mr. T D Henshaw (God bless) will be remembered for a long time by co-workers, friends and neighbors in the Smithville Area.
Remember Tom at prairie lane park skiing behind my boat knew him as kind man, his wife also sorry to the family for his loss.
My sincere sympathies to Pat and family. Never easy. May Tom rest in peace. Keep those good memories alive. God bless you all.
So sorry, Pat. Tom was a great guy. Love and prayers for you and your family.
I am sorry to learn of your husband’s/father’s passing. Please know that you have my deepest sympathies and prayerful thoughts during this time as your family celebrates the wonderful life and legacy of Tom.
Joan & the whole Henshaw family, Sincere condolences on your loss. You will be in our prayers.
Dear family of Tom Henshaw: I have been a friend of pat’s for many years. I’ve met your dad on occasion and spoken to him on the phone. His love for family was clear. I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved family member. I pray that God gives you the strength in time to remember all the happy times. May you find the peace only He can give. Love, Leslie Pearce-Keating
We’re sorry to hear of Tom’s cancer fight and passing. It was such a pleasure to interact with him when he’d be at OARDC to do electrical work, and it was always a fun time. There have been many different scenarios where our lives intersected through the years. Pat, our condolences to you and your family.
Dear Pat, I am feeling such sorrow for you and your family on the passing of your dear husband. I couldn’t be at the service for Tom, but I watched the service. What a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. I send my deepest sympathy to you and Lexie.