Henry George Stenberg June 21, 1940 - September 13, 2020 “Allll aboard…” Henry George Stenberg, Jr. – affectionally called Tip by his family and lifelong friends – passed away on Sunday, September 13, at the age of 80, at the Lahey Medical Center, Peabody MA from complications from chronic heart disease. Henry was born on June 21, 1940 in Worcester, MA to his parents Henry George Stenberg, Sr. and Margaret Saunders Stenberg. He and his sister Patricia were raised in Hopedale, MA and Henry graduated from Hopedale High School in 1958. He followed his love of history to Bates College, where he received a B.A. in History in 1962. From there he went to the University of Maine Orono where he received a M.A. in History in 1966. Henry then went on to Lehigh University where he started to work towards a PhD. After his college career Henry returned to the North Shore, living for a time in Marblehead, MA and Salem, MA until he moved to Peabody in 2019. Henry was part of the Executive Committee of the New England Association of Oral History for nine years, and he authored some book reviews for the Oral History Association. From 1966 to his retirement in 2002 Henry was a professor of history at Salem State College, where he taught courses in world civilization, English history, and American transportation history. Henry was an avid railroad and train enthusiast, who enjoyed watching live cams of train arrivals and departures from all over the world. His nieces and nephews remember that he was always on top of the LAKE Shore Limited schedule – down to the minute, knowing when it would arrive, and if it was late, how late it would be and why. In his travels during his life, he took many trips to the Southern and Western parts of the United States for Oral History conferences. In the 1990s, he took an extended, memorable trip to Europe, visiting France, Italy, England, and Norway where the paternal side of his family originated. He was an animal person, and he shared many childhood stories of his beagle “Lucky”, and more recently he always had a big smile on his face spending time with “Daisy”, a Wheaton terrier, his nephew Chris’s family dog. Though he grew up a dog person, he came to have an affectionate amusement with his nieces’ cats. Henry always enjoyed family functions, whether it was an informal get together, a celebration for graduation or a birthday for his grandnephew and grandniece. He also kept up to date on the latest major league sports news, knowing it was an interest to his family despite not being a sports fan himself. Henry was also known around Salem for being an active member of the Archives Committee of the First Church of Salem, and for being a greeter for the Salem Trails & Sails tours a few years ago. Henry loved talking to people, and these outlets were perfect. Finally, Henry will always be remembered for his love of British humor, as he would often quote lines from the “Mr. Bean” character, the “Are You Being Served?” series, or others on various PBS comedies. Henry is survived by his nieces Catherine Farrell of Milford, MA, and Janet Farrell of Worcester, MA; his nephews Richard Farrell of Springfield, VA, and Christopher Farrell and his wife, Linda of Westwood, MA; his grand-niece Meghan Farrell of Westwood, MA, his grand- nephew Brian Farrell of Westwood, MA; his cousin Terry Saunders of Virginia; and his friends Jack Hayes and Susan LaMar of Uxbridge, MA, Cliff and Judy Kent of Peabody, MA, John Gagnon of Elliot, ME and Ed Finglas of Marblehead, MA. Henry was predeceased by his sister Patricia Farrell (05/05/2000), his brother in law A.W. Farrell, M.D. (02/15/2000) and his long- time friend and colleague John Fox (03/18/2020). Henry was laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery with his mother, surrounded by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in his name to the Milford Humane Society, 289 West Street, Milford MA 01757, or to a charity of your choice. The arrangements were handled by the Murphy Funeral Home. For more information or online guestbook please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com. Memories Menu HOME |
Here's Henry on the sidewalk on Dutcher Street, near the Hope Street intersection, walking toward the camera. The occasion for the parade was evidently the opening of Little League season. The year was probably 1954. |