Mayor Tom Henry

The Honorable Thomas C. Henry, Mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 72, passed away at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne on Thursday, March 28, 2024, surrounded by his large and loving family. The “People’s Mayor,” Tom was first elected to the seat in January of 2008, an office he held for more than16 years. Tom also served on Fort Wayne’s City Council from 1983-2003.

Born on November 8, 1951 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Tom was the second child of Jerome F. and Marganelle (Applegate) Henry. He was a 1970 graduate of Central Catholic High School and received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne. Stationed in Africa, Tom proudly served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1973. He served in the US Army Reserves until 1977.

Tom was a member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion Post #82 – Fort Wayne.

As Mayor, Tom’s accomplishments are too numerous to fully detail. He was proud of each project that moved Fort Wayne forward. His vision shaped the skyline, the waterways and the neighborhoods that make Fort Wayne a truly livable city. Most notable are the completion of Harrison Square, the Ash Skyline Plaza, the Dr. Martin Luther King Bridge, the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, the trail system, and of course, the Riverfront Development, which led to the creation of Promenade Park, the second phase of which is underway.

Tom was a statesman. He was best known for his diplomacy, his willingness to work across any aisle, and for his team building ­­– all of which resulted in the Fort Wayne we know and love today.

Of his many achievements, his greatest reward was in the life he built with his wife, Cindy (Kocks), whom he wed on June 21, 1975. Together, they raised their son, Benjamin Jerome, and daughter, Elizabeth Anne. Theirs was an extraordinary love, and where Cindy was, Tom was never far behind. It is somehow fitting then that Cindy preceded Tom in death on January 20, 2024.

A true visionary and lifelong public servant, Tom lived by the tenets of the Westpoint maxim: Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible.

We believe he would ask us to best honor him by living the same way.

Tom was preceded in death by his cherished wife Cindy, his parents, Jerome and Marganelle, and his brother, Timothy. Surviving are his children, Benjamin J. Henry and Elizabeth A. Guevara; grandchildren, Anastasia and Nikolas Henry and Alexandria and Angelina Guevara; brothers, Jerome F. Henry, Jr. (Becky), Anthony (Susan), Erik (Courtney Tritch), Matthew (Anne), Martin (Vicki), Kurt (Teresa), Karl, Louis (Brenda), and Christopher (Carolyn); sisters, Paula (Bill) Bentley, Andrea (Ramon) Navarro, Denise (Bill) Wenzel, Sonya Witte (Dave Herport) Lisa (Mark) Canada, and Jessica (Nate) Henry-Johnson; mother-in-law, Martha M. Kocks-Hamrick; siblings-in-law, Kevin, Barry, Scott (Amy), and Mark Kocks and Angela Kocks-Schmidt; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; a devoted staff of both city and campaign workers (including his beloved nephew, Adam Henry) and an entire community of colleagues and citizens, in whom he believed with all his heart.

The family asks that, despite our collective broken heart, we all carry forth the work begun by Tom. He laid a foundation on which we will continue to build the City of Fort Wayne. May we all be inspired by his legacy of treating others with dignity and respect. For that is what made Tom so special.

The Mass of Christian Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, April 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1105 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 with visitation from 9:00- 10:00 a.m.in the church. Visitation is also from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11, 2024 at the Allen County Courthouse. Interment in Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements through Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir (fwcchoir.org) or by mail to 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Ft. Wayne, IN 46805 or Humane Fort Wayne (humanefw.org) or by mail to 4914 S. Hanna St., Fort Wayne, IN 46806.

Share fond memories and condolences at DivineMercyFuneralHome.com

NOTE: Mayor Henry's Funeral will be Live Streamed. Please visit cathedralfw.org and scroll down to 'Follow Us' then click on the YouTube Icon.