As a parent, you welcome your children into the world. 

You feed them, you wash them, you keep them warm and safe. As they take their first steps, you encourage them, and you try to protect them from danger. 

Then, they start school, and you can’t be there for them every minute of the day, so you have to let go a little bit. And so starts their own journey through life. 

Throughout primary and secondary school, Henry had the same loyal best friend in Roddy Kenny and together they negotiated the rigours of the playground and the sports field and celebrated each other’s triumphs and disasters in the classroom. Football and athletics were his passion. 

At sixth form college he met friends Sammy and Dave and then announced he was off to travel the world before going to university. 

At this point of his life, we knew that this was the start of a very different journey, a journey from boyhood to manhood and we were right. Very early in those days he met Rob and of course Kate. 

It was our hope as Henry’s parents that he would come back from his second gap year, consolidate his love for Kate, find a job that he loved doing and one day have a family, if that is what he wanted for himself. We’re so proud to know that that is exactly what happened. But now, especially in the last few weeks, we know so much more. 

We already knew he was a loving and deeply loved husband of Kate and Daddy of Casper and Archie.  

He was welcomed on day one by all of Kate’s family and has remained in their hearts ever since. He was a huge presence in our own family, as a son, brother and brother in law, nephew and cousin. He was also a friend or colleague to many of you. But from the messages we have seen and received in the last few weeks, we have learnt that he has touched so many other lives that we never knew about. 

You will all have your own memories of Henry and who he was to you. It is impossible in a few short moments, for us, his parents and sisters, to cram 36 years of our own memories into this short celebration of Henry’s life. So what would Henry do? We think he would say “what are the five most important things that Henry left with you? “  

So here goes….. 

His piercing blue eyes 

His huge hug 

His wisdom 

His patience 

His love. 

There is nothing more that we can say.