Stories
I am stilled stunned by the news of Henry's passing and send you all my heartfelt sympathy.
I actually met Lucy, Annie, and Henry for the first time at the Medfield Public Library in 1987. The local cable station was doing a "tour of the Children's Room" and the Masters and Croak children accompanied Connie Jones as she talked about the library's facilities and programs. Even then, Henry had the ability to make us laugh with his clever observations - was it me or was he born with adult sensibilities? I often felt he was wise beyond his years.
Our paths next crossed when I was lucky enough to spend first grade with Henry in Room 106 at the Wheelock School and I am attaching Henry's photo from the class picture that year. I can see him sitting on the stairs in the book corner offering his carefully considered opinions of his classmates' stories during Writing Workshop. His slow grin would let the adults (and probably the kids too) know that something fun was about to happen. I also remember his excitement about his new brother and how he proudly shared pictures once he arrived. He was one of the kindest, most genuine students I ever had the pleasure to teach. It was an honor to know him.
Over the last few years I always enjoyed running into you in town and hearing Henry's latest news - his way too short life was certainly a full one. Once again, my sincere condolences on your loss.
- Anne Lawless Croak, Medfield Public Schools
I actually met Lucy, Annie, and Henry for the first time at the Medfield Public Library in 1987. The local cable station was doing a "tour of the Children's Room" and the Masters and Croak children accompanied Connie Jones as she talked about the library's facilities and programs. Even then, Henry had the ability to make us laugh with his clever observations - was it me or was he born with adult sensibilities? I often felt he was wise beyond his years.
Our paths next crossed when I was lucky enough to spend first grade with Henry in Room 106 at the Wheelock School and I am attaching Henry's photo from the class picture that year. I can see him sitting on the stairs in the book corner offering his carefully considered opinions of his classmates' stories during Writing Workshop. His slow grin would let the adults (and probably the kids too) know that something fun was about to happen. I also remember his excitement about his new brother and how he proudly shared pictures once he arrived. He was one of the kindest, most genuine students I ever had the pleasure to teach. It was an honor to know him.
Over the last few years I always enjoyed running into you in town and hearing Henry's latest news - his way too short life was certainly a full one. Once again, my sincere condolences on your loss.
- Anne Lawless Croak, Medfield Public Schools
I knew Henry only by what I had heard from Lucy - until the memorial service in Boston on December 12. Through the loving, cherished memories of those who really knew Henry, he now is a living soul to me, someone who accomplished more and touched more people in 25 years than many of us do in 75 years. Thank you for the gifts you gave to us, Henry. I'll remember you always.
John Ombelets
John Ombelets
Like my father expressed, Henry had a significant role in the Chazen family; among many other things, he was our handyman. My father will be the first to admit that he is not always the handiest person, but we knew that eventually Henry would come over for dinner or just to hang and would be able to fix anything that needed fixing. Perhaps his willingness to fix around the house had a lot to do with his role as "the boyfriend," but I would argue it was representative of whom Henry was. He cared, deeply, and loved nothing more than to feel like he could fix by doing. It was not just that he could resurface our porch, fix the toilet, or even engage in debate with my argumentative grandfather, but the way he set out to fix the world by doing is what I truly admired. He was committed to making the world a better place in so many ways. Whether it was sustainable farming, educating me about source vegetarianism, getting his masters in public health, or simply being curious, Henry was an incredibly insightful and gifted man because when he saw a problem he tried to fix it. Henry was creative, brilliant, hilarious, and fun to be around. I will miss him just as everyone else will and feel lucky to have known him. May Henry rest in peace knowing that he had a profound impact on many throughout his 25 years.
- Claire Chazen
- Claire Chazen
I am writing this to express my deep sorrow at your loss. I remember Henry primarily from years ago, when he was a funny, happy, bright kid. He had that charisma that made him stand out in a crowd. I was later aware of his health issues and cheered him on as he conquered them. Larry and I bumped into him last spring, and were impressed with his latest pursuit at Dartmouth. He was always impressive.
We are all poorer with this loss.
With sympathy,
Ann Russo
We are all poorer with this loss.
With sympathy,
Ann Russo
Henry was in middle school and in the problem solving group Odyssey of the Mind. Our project was to create a vaudeville show with original songs and skits. While brainstorming around the table Henry came up with tunes, lyrics and props that got his team members charged up and on they went to create a funny, imaginative show. I had just met Henry, and as his coach I remember thinking, *boy this kid is good.* Fast forward 15 years when I saw Henry and Anne at their yard sale last spring and had a chance to catch up a bit. Henry was the same warm, engaging guy, just a lot taller.
- Larry Krasnow
- Larry Krasnow
Henry graced this Earth for such a short time, but his impact goes far beyond his years. My name is Eileen and I had the honor and pleasure of working with Henry at CVH.
What was it about Henry that could make any stressful day seem less stressful? His smile? His laugh? His rosy red boyish cheeks? Or was it his helping hand at a crossword at break? Perhaps it was the constant revelation of his boxer shorts because he couldn't keep his scrubs up? Henry was a beacon of light. Henry was a kid whom I often told others that if I'd ever had a child I would hope he/she would've turned out just like him.
What a tragic loss. My deepest sympathies to Henry's family and all who loved him. Henry was a beautiful person who is now a beautiful spirit. The impression he has left on my life will be everlasting.
Thank you for sharing the RemberingHenry website.
- from Eileen Sayers, Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital
What was it about Henry that could make any stressful day seem less stressful? His smile? His laugh? His rosy red boyish cheeks? Or was it his helping hand at a crossword at break? Perhaps it was the constant revelation of his boxer shorts because he couldn't keep his scrubs up? Henry was a beacon of light. Henry was a kid whom I often told others that if I'd ever had a child I would hope he/she would've turned out just like him.
What a tragic loss. My deepest sympathies to Henry's family and all who loved him. Henry was a beautiful person who is now a beautiful spirit. The impression he has left on my life will be everlasting.
Thank you for sharing the RemberingHenry website.
- from Eileen Sayers, Commonwealth Veterinary Hospital
Barbara and I were fortunate to know Henry the last five years, and to see the love and devotion grow and blossom between Hillary and Henry. They are both better people for that. We are so stunned and saddened by his passing; we are trying to make sense of it, and perhaps never will. But I do have clear recollections of why I admired and cared for Henry, and that will remain with me the rest of my life.
Henry’s intelligence, intellectual curiosity and passion was so impressive. And that laugh - booming, starting in the soles of his feet it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. I always enjoyed talking to him about a wide variety of topics. Henry genuinely cared about repairing the world, solving our health care problems and engaging young people in contributing to a more civil and environmentally-conscious society. That is why the world lost something with his passing - because he would have made a difference. We need more people like Henry Masters.
Hillary is deeply saddened by his passing. They were so devoted to and in love with each other. Henry had a powerful impact on Hillary, and we know it was reciprocal. Henry was incorporated into Hillary’s being. We’ve encouraged her at this incredible time of grief to believe she will again be happy, smile, laugh and love – and will always keep Henry and his memory close to her heart.
We grieve for Jeff and Lucy and want them to know they are in our thoughts and prayers. There is a beautiful verse in the Jewish Sabbath prayer book and hopefully it will help all of us to manage our grief:
“Pray as if everything depends on God. Act as if everything depends on you.” May Henry’s memory always be a blessing.
Shalom.
- From Ed Chazen, father of Hillary Chazen, Henry's girlfriend
Henry’s intelligence, intellectual curiosity and passion was so impressive. And that laugh - booming, starting in the soles of his feet it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. I always enjoyed talking to him about a wide variety of topics. Henry genuinely cared about repairing the world, solving our health care problems and engaging young people in contributing to a more civil and environmentally-conscious society. That is why the world lost something with his passing - because he would have made a difference. We need more people like Henry Masters.
Hillary is deeply saddened by his passing. They were so devoted to and in love with each other. Henry had a powerful impact on Hillary, and we know it was reciprocal. Henry was incorporated into Hillary’s being. We’ve encouraged her at this incredible time of grief to believe she will again be happy, smile, laugh and love – and will always keep Henry and his memory close to her heart.
We grieve for Jeff and Lucy and want them to know they are in our thoughts and prayers. There is a beautiful verse in the Jewish Sabbath prayer book and hopefully it will help all of us to manage our grief:
“Pray as if everything depends on God. Act as if everything depends on you.” May Henry’s memory always be a blessing.
Shalom.
- From Ed Chazen, father of Hillary Chazen, Henry's girlfriend
I was in the same grade as Anne, graduating from Medfield High in 2000. I submitted this same anecdote on the website, but wanted to email it in case it was too long...
I was deeply saddened when I learned of the passing of Henry, but equally touched when I was directed to the remembrance website you have so deftly and eloquently dedicated in his honor. I didn't know Henry very well, in fact we probably never actually met in person. But I do remember his face, and remember seeing him around at various school events growing up. When I read the poem 'If' on the website it made me think about some simple yet infinitely important concepts; things like being a good guy, having character and integrity, and about becoming and living as a man. It would seem Henry personified all of these things. The themes of the poem seem so obvious, the verse is quite clear... yet their real-world application is so incredibly hard. Just look at all the hundreds of thousands of books written about self improvement, philosophy, and most recently, how to be happy. We all consistently fail to live up to our fullest potential and rarely keep the promises we make to ourselves. The Greeks called living up to one's full potential, ARETE. More specifically, Arete means "...goodness, excellence, or virtue of any kind. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential. Arete, in ancient Greek culture, was courage and strength in the face of adversity and it was to what all people aspired." I read once that SATISFACTION is a function of EXPECTATION and REALIZATION. The more you expect of yourself, and the more you can make those expectations a reality, the closer you will be to fulfilling not only the promises you make to yourself, but to living up to your own personal potential. The result of that is satisfaction. Or happiness... From all the photos I've seen of Henry, and all the anecdotes about him, I can't think of anyone appearing more happy. He just seemed satisfied. Probably because he was living his full potential... and at such a young age! IF only all of us could be so lucky.
- Bryan Wilson, Medfield
I was deeply saddened when I learned of the passing of Henry, but equally touched when I was directed to the remembrance website you have so deftly and eloquently dedicated in his honor. I didn't know Henry very well, in fact we probably never actually met in person. But I do remember his face, and remember seeing him around at various school events growing up. When I read the poem 'If' on the website it made me think about some simple yet infinitely important concepts; things like being a good guy, having character and integrity, and about becoming and living as a man. It would seem Henry personified all of these things. The themes of the poem seem so obvious, the verse is quite clear... yet their real-world application is so incredibly hard. Just look at all the hundreds of thousands of books written about self improvement, philosophy, and most recently, how to be happy. We all consistently fail to live up to our fullest potential and rarely keep the promises we make to ourselves. The Greeks called living up to one's full potential, ARETE. More specifically, Arete means "...goodness, excellence, or virtue of any kind. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential. Arete, in ancient Greek culture, was courage and strength in the face of adversity and it was to what all people aspired." I read once that SATISFACTION is a function of EXPECTATION and REALIZATION. The more you expect of yourself, and the more you can make those expectations a reality, the closer you will be to fulfilling not only the promises you make to yourself, but to living up to your own personal potential. The result of that is satisfaction. Or happiness... From all the photos I've seen of Henry, and all the anecdotes about him, I can't think of anyone appearing more happy. He just seemed satisfied. Probably because he was living his full potential... and at such a young age! IF only all of us could be so lucky.
- Bryan Wilson, Medfield
I have Henry frozen in my mind at about ten years old. It was amazing to read all the things he accomplished since then. I remember going to Girl Scout meetings and Henry being around, laughing and smiling and giggling. He had a great sense of himself; even when he was the only boy in the room, he wasn't shy. I'll always remember him as a wildly funny little kid.
- from Karen Prager, Medfield
- from Karen Prager, Medfield
My memories of Henry at First Parish are fun memories. I remember when our religious education class did a unit on the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, and we each had to present and explain one principle to the congregation on Children's Sunday. Henry explained "the use of the democratic process in our congregations" by telling how we had voted on what we were going to have for snack. That got a big laugh. Henry was always making people laugh.
- Fran Kingsbury, First Parish Medfield
- Fran Kingsbury, First Parish Medfield
I want to share with you that my memories of Henry mostly center around this time of year, with my most beloved Thanksgivings spent at your house with all the cousins together, where we could make an appropriately large amount of mischief. Those were the days when I still felt that I was one of the little cousins, not quite mature enough to hang out with Annie, Henry and A.J., so I just quietly revered them instead. This reverence was clearly demonstrated in our little-kid plots to poke, prod and otherwise provoke the big kids, and we always created a ruckus that seemed to amuse Henry the most. He could effortlessly hold us at bay with one hand on a forehead, and he was always the most easy going of the big kids, with a fantastic laugh and easy smile. Even throughout all the shenanigans, Henry was also an excellent role model, which I don't think was an accident. He knew he had us wrapped around his pinkie, and he was very gentle with us. Henry was the only one who, when we came charging down the stairs, could tell us that we were being too loud and obnoxious with such good humor. Without saying so, he always convinced me that I knew better than to lead such rampages, or than to yell through the intercom system, no matter how much fun it would be. He also made me feel much better about not being good at cards when we all played Peasants and Peons - I don't recall what he said, but I know he made me feel like if I was always the Peon that I should own it and be happy. He was always good at being responsible and caring without taking the fun out of things, which was a combination of skills that were well beyond his years.
- Callie Krumholz, Cousin
- Callie Krumholz, Cousin
In my first memory of Henry, I am very young and standing in my
kitchen. Henry is standing in the doorway with a beer in his hand. I
remember thinking in awe, "What a giant man."
My heart goes out to you all. We can do this together. I hope you all can feel the love from my
family to yours.
- Nick Pope, Medfield
kitchen. Henry is standing in the doorway with a beer in his hand. I
remember thinking in awe, "What a giant man."
My heart goes out to you all. We can do this together. I hope you all can feel the love from my
family to yours.
- Nick Pope, Medfield
It must have been 1996 or 1997; I just remember that I was at states for an OM (Odyssey of the Mind) tournament. I was there with my brother's team, but we were sitting in the auditorium with the other Medfield team(s) as well. Anne and Henry were sitting right behind me. It had been a long day, and Henry clearly was bored and tired of being there. Anne, on the other hand, was still full of energy. She started rocking back and forth and singing "He's my buddy and I'll cry if I want to," and she kept singing until he started laughing.
In that moment, I was incredibly envious of the two of them. They didn't act like most siblings did; they were friends, and they clearly enjoyed each other's company. Watching how the two of them interacted made me wish that my brother and I had that type of relationship. My brother and I got along, but we weren't really friends with each other; that didn't happen until we were much older.
This is such a random memory, but it has stuck with me for all these years. Having a true friendship with a sibling is so special, and, despite the age differences, all three of the Masters kids have always seemed to share that bond with one another. My heart goes out to Anne and Charlie because I know that you have lost not only a brother, but a friend.
- from Sarah Zitoli, First Parish Medfield
In that moment, I was incredibly envious of the two of them. They didn't act like most siblings did; they were friends, and they clearly enjoyed each other's company. Watching how the two of them interacted made me wish that my brother and I had that type of relationship. My brother and I got along, but we weren't really friends with each other; that didn't happen until we were much older.
This is such a random memory, but it has stuck with me for all these years. Having a true friendship with a sibling is so special, and, despite the age differences, all three of the Masters kids have always seemed to share that bond with one another. My heart goes out to Anne and Charlie because I know that you have lost not only a brother, but a friend.
- from Sarah Zitoli, First Parish Medfield
I'm Spencer, husband of Emily who is a cousin of Hillary. Several weeks ago at a wedding in Maryland I met Henry for the first time. I took an instant liking to him. He was easy going, fun loving, intelligent, and just struck me as a genuinely good guy. I was happy for Hillary.
I'm very sad to hear of Henry's sudden passing and for your family's profound loss. I extend my condolences and pray that you will all one day find solace. May Henry's spirit will always live on.
- from Spencer Dorn
I'm very sad to hear of Henry's sudden passing and for your family's profound loss. I extend my condolences and pray that you will all one day find solace. May Henry's spirit will always live on.
- from Spencer Dorn
We cannot expresses how sad we are at hearing about Henry's death. I heard yesterday and have not been able to stop thinking of all of you. Henry was taken much to soon and I think of our summers at Calumet and watching your wonderful son grow. I have no words to express the depth of sadness I feel for your family and I know there is not a thing I can say to make any real difference. Please know you are all in our thoughts,prayers and hearts. Although it's been a long time, but Kevin and I often speak of your family often. Lucy I think of you often and right now the only thing I can say to you is I'm so very sorry for your awful loss. God Bless you all. I hope you will let us know about the arrangements as we would like to celebrate Henry's life as well as mourn his death.
- Kevin and Cheryl, Camp Calumet
- Kevin and Cheryl, Camp Calumet