ROCKLAND — Gary Lee Henry, 80, of Rockland, Maine, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 24, 2024, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, Maine. 

Gary was born on Jan. 21, 1944, in Rumford, Maine, the youngest of Clifford and Ethel Henry's six children. After Clifford died in a car accident when Gary was six, Gary and his mother lived with relatives in Maine, Massachusetts and New Jersey, where Ethel remarried. The family later bought a home in Rockport. 

Gary graduated from Rockport High School in 1962 and joined the United States Navy that year, following in the footsteps of his father and two of his older brothers. 

Gary was very proud of his military service as a Sonar Technician in Key West, Fla.; Argentia, Newfoundland; and San Salvador, British West Indies, as part of the highly classified (at the time) Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), detecting maritime activity at long distances via sonar surveillance. 

Gary was involved in the lobster industry for much of his adult life, including running his own business shipping lobsters, by air and truck, around the country. He was employed for many years by Graffam Bros. Lobster in Rockport and also served as a sternman for David Mahonen of South Thomaston. 

Gary also worked for Nautica in Rockland, and for credit-card company MBNA as a security guard in Rockland, at Knox County Regional Airport, and his personal favorite, at MBNA's compound in Northport. He was a licensed funeral attendant at both the Carpenter Funeral Home and Long Funeral Home for many years. 

Gary is survived by his wife, Lynne, of Rockland; daughters Ericka Theriault and her companion Wilfred York of Warren, and Sarah Mizrachi and her husband Gabe, of Rego Park, New York; grandchildren Drew and Reid Theriault; and many nieces and nephews. 

Gary was predeceased by his parents; his five siblings: Janet, Robert (Bob), Clifford Jr. (Kip), Barbara, and James (Jim); and an infant daughter, Samantha. 

Please join Gary's family and friends at an Open House on Sunday, Sept. 22, from noon to 3 p.m., at the American Legion Post in Camden, to share some food, drink and memories of Gary's life. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), the Travis Mills Foundation, or American Legion Post 30, PO Box 187, Camden, ME 04843. 

Condolences may be shared at www.longfuneralhome.com 

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden, ME. 

CAMDEN