Ralph C. Henshaw

TEMPLETON – Ralph C. Henshaw, 91, died Tuesday, February 23rd at his home in Templeton.

He was born November 12, 1929, the son of Charles R. and Mildred C. (Brown) Henshaw of Templeton and was a resident of Templeton all his life.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Mildred G. (Willis) Henshaw. He leaves four sons: Wayne Henshaw and his wife, Deborah Joyce, of Chelmsford; Fred Henshaw and his wife, Deborah Henshaw, of Templeton; Ralph Henshaw and his partner, Krissi Elmore, of Templeton; and Ken Henshaw and his wife, Misha Henshaw, of Huntington Beach, CA. He always enjoyed reminiscing with them about growing up on the family farm, the history of Templeton, and the many other things that interested him throughout his long life.

He had a keen interest in the lives of grandsons Stewart Henshaw of Templeton; Keith Henshaw and his wife, Jessica Paquette, of Rowley; and Luther Henshaw, Esq. of Templeton. His great granddaughter, AmyJoy Henshaw of Templeton, brought sunshine to his life.

He was blessed to be part of a large family that included his brother C. Milton Henshaw and wife Priscilla of Maine; sister Shirley Barnes and husband George W. Barnes, Jr., of Templeton; sister Edna Haley and husband Arnold Haley of Phillipston; brother Roger Henshaw and wife Lorna of Templeton; and brother Kirke Henshaw and his wife Nancy of Chesterfield. He enjoyed and was a positive influence on many nieces and nephews. He also had genuinely warm and caring relationships with wife Mildred’s brothers and sisters.

Ralph graduated from Templeton High School in 1947 and began driving tractors for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at Worcester State Hospital shortly after that. He retired from the state 35 years later, having worked much of that time at Gardner State Hospital as a night watchman.

He took over and expanded a small student transportation service from his father in the late 1960s and later founded Henshaw Service, Inc. in 1975, primarily repairing farm equipment.

Ralph was a devoted member and mainstay of the First Church of Templeton, where he served as a deacon for a number of years and was the sexton for 33 years. As one deacon said, “When Ralph spoke, others around the table stopped talking and paid attention.” His involvement with the church, along with working as custodian at the Narragansett Historical Society and the Boynton Public Library, made him an almost daily presence on Templeton Common.

His common decency and good sense provided example and support for his friends, family, and the community at large, both informally and formally in roles such as Sunday School teacher and Cub Scout leader. He was active in many of the town’s historical celebrations such as the July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence.

A funeral service will be held at The First Church of Templeton on Saturday, February 27, at 1:30 P.M.

Burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Templeton following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the First Church of Templeton. You may send them to: David Huhtala, Treasurer, 6 Spa Road, Phillipston, MA 01331.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

www.stone-ladeau.com