Henry Joseph Carr passed from this life at his home in the company of his family Monday, June 5, following a courageous battle with cancer. Henry is the son of Robert F and Kim E. (Whalen) Carr of Wrentham. Though his life was shortened by disease, Henry was able to leave an impact on many through acts of kindness and generosity. Like so many young cancer patients Henry didn’t want his life defined by illness. Henry will be more accurately remembered for his passion for school, both academic and socially, and his passion for life, always making and revising plans be it for the next few days or the coming years.
Beginning in Wrentham Public Schools through completion of sophomore year at The College of the Holy Cross, Henry took advantage of all the institutions had to offer and gave back in kind with effort and school pride. A Student Council officer at both King Philip Middle and High Schools, Henry also held leadership positions with KP Cares and KP Leo service clubs. In those positions, and despite ongoing cancer treatment throughout his senior year, Henry coordinated fund raisers and events for the benefit of Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Cradles to Crayons and various local causes. Henry was named Volunteer of the Year by the Wrentham Board of Selectmen for his efforts.
Henry was a member of the King Philip football, cross country and winter/spring track teams’, being named a captain for track his senior year, and was active in St. Mary Wrentham’s CYO Basketball program from grammar through high school. At Holy Cross Henry studied Political Science and Arabic. He took part in Student Government as the elected Vice President of his freshman and sophomore classes. He participated in school sponsored immersion program in Camden, New Jersey during his freshman year and this past year was accepted into the college’s Academic Honors Program.
While attending college Henry volunteered with the 1540 Connection, a national organization devoted to improving cancer survival rates through early detection. Henry loved a party be it with family or organizing get togethers with friends from the KP and Holy Cross communities. He especially looked forward to annual holiday gatherings with family at the beaches of Point Judith, RI and Kennebunk, ME and Auntie’s Christmas Bash. No matter how he may have been feeling, Henry would never turn down the opportunity for a visit or meeting with friends.
His smile signaled his presence from the halls of KP, the kitchen at Nicky’s, Jimmy Fund clinics, or good times with friends on St. James Hill. During his high school graduation festivities, Henry was named ‘Most Likely to Brighten Your Day’ by the KP class of 2015. His classmates most certainly got that right, as Henry never failed to, and will continue to “brighten our days” with memories in the days and years to come.
Henry is survived by his sister Francesca and brothers Sam and Jack of Wrentham, along with many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends from the King Philip and Holy Cross communities.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, June 12th from 4-8 PM in St. Mary’s Church, 130 South Street, Wrentham. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 13th at 10:30 AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one of several charities Henry was involved with, KP Cares – King Philip High School, 1540 Connection, or the Jimmy Fund, at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
