Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry died Thursday evening following a battle with abdomen most cancers. Earlier within the day, his household introduced the town chief was in hospice care after struggling a medical emergency on Wednesday.
In his stead, Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer will lead the town. A caucus of precinct committee individuals will select a successor inside 30 days.
In late February Henry, a Democrat, referred to as a press convention informing the general public that he had been identified with Stage 3 abdomen most cancers and would quickly begin chemotherapy. He was within the first yr of his fifth time period as Fort Wayne mayor, a place he has held since 2008.
His spouse, Cindy, died in January following problems with pancreatic most cancers.
High statewide officers shared their condolences with the Henry household following the information.
“For anybody concerned in statewide public service, Mayor Tom Henry was synonymous with Fort Wayne. The love and help the town lengthy showered upon him was surpassed solely by his unwavering affection for it. Irrespective of the place you had been from, Mayor Tom was the type of constructive chief who made you’re feeling like transferring there due to the lengthy listing of latest issues happening and he was smiling about it,” Gov. Eric Holcomb mentioned in an announcement.
“I’ll treasure our conversations, sharing a stage, and his inspirational dignified demeanor. He was a Mayor’s mayor, but additionally a Governor’s Mayor. You can name him for something, for recommendation or a few cherished one, and I did. Janet and I prolong our heartfelt condolences to his neighborhood of pals, coworkers and most significantly his blessed legendary household throughout such a troublesome time. It’s been mentioned, that for individuals who stroll with the Lord, goodbyes are by no means eternally. It’s my hope and prayer, that now that he has been reunited along with his bride, Cindy, his soul can relaxation understanding his work right here is finished, and we will all meet once more for amusing or two,” he concluded.
Two Home Democrats representing Fort Wayne additionally praised the work completed by Henry.
“In dropping Tom, Fort Wayne has really misplaced an icon, however his legacy lives on. As we transfer ahead, our neighborhood will honor the progress he made in Fort Wayne throughout his tenure. I wish to personally prolong my condolences to Tom’s household, and I stay up for celebrating his life and accomplishments as a neighborhood,” mentioned Rep. Kyle Miller.
Home Minority Chief Phil GiaQuinta referred to as Henry “a large within the historical past of our metropolis,” crediting the town’s progress to his management.
“Tom’s love of Fort Wayne is what saved him going. Amid intense private hardship – the lack of his beloved spouse Cindy and his most cancers analysis earlier this yr – he saved working for our metropolis as mayor as a result of that’s the kind of particular person he was,” GiaQuinta mentioned. “I take solace in the truth that Tom won’t be forgotten simply. You may see him throughout Fort Wayne – within the flourishing small companies, in children enjoying within the parks and within the metropolis skyline irrevocably formed for the higher by his imaginative and prescient and management.”
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