James (Jamie) Henderson

We had many good times, good conversations, good laughs at the Ministry of Labour. Rest In Peace Jamie.... My condolences to your family.

Dear Marilyn and family, I was very saddened to learn of Jamie’s passing. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Jamie and I were next-door neighbours in Leonard Hall at Queen’s University in 1964 and we became very good friends. As others have noted Jamie had a wry sense of humour. Jamie and I exchanged letters for a few years after Queen’s. I found a few of them in an old box yesterday and his sense of humour still shines through after all these years. Jamie’s obituary mentioned his love of reading. We used to recommend books and music to each other; Jamie introduced me to John Barth and Philip Roth. By accident, but appropriately, Jamie was the witness to my marriage. I come from a very Catholic background and this was often the subject of gentle mocking from Jamie. In particular, he would blame me for the bells of St Mary’s Cathedral which used to disturb his Sunday morning sleep. Although I still went to church in those days Jamie thought my beliefs were more aligned with his Father’s Unitarianism, “a manifestation of the herd instinct among atheists” as he would say. My wife and I had a very small wedding with just immediate family and a few friends. We might have gotten married at city hall, but decided that that would not go over well. So inspired by Jamie we got married at the Unitarian Church on St Clair Ave. This was acceptable to my aunt, Sister Mary Stanislaus, but not to my father. My brother, who was to have been my witness, tried to convince him to come right to the last minute. In fact beyond the last minute. The minister finally said that we had to go on with the ceremony. My brother arrived just as the ceremony was ending. Given Jamie’s role in choosing the venue it seemed natural to ask him to be the witness. I am sure that you have many fond memories of Jamie and they will help to sustain you in the coming days. Sincerely Patrick King

My condolences to Jamie’s family. His death is a great loss. I worked with Jamie during most of his time at the Ministry of Labour and it was always a pleasure. As noted by others, he was intelligent, thoughtful and humorous. Lunch or a beer with Jamie was always a thought-provoking and enjoyable time. He was also very good at what he did. He wrote, with minimal senior management supervision, one of the most influential documents produced by the Ministry during that time. He also drafted a speech for me to deliver as a keynote at an Asbestos conference. Because of other demands I was unable to review the draft beforehand and read it for the first time from the podium. Such was my confidence that his words would be both appropriate and thought-provoking. He didn’t let me down. The speech drew compliments from the audience.

Jamie was in the best sense of the word, a gentleman. I have always admired him, and will remember him, for being steadfast, strong and kind. I will miss his wry sense of humour and unfailing calm. Our conversations were always interesting and thoughtful. His chuckle was one of the best I ever heard. I am thinking of you all at this sad time. Love, Martha