David J. Henderson

David J. Henderson, 79, of Harwich, MA died peacefully in his home on January 6, 2025 surrounded by his loving family after a long struggle with dementia.  He was born on June 9,1945 in Plymouth, MA.  He was the son of the late James Russell and Ruth (Jordan) Henderson.  David was a graduate of Marshfield High School where he was a stand out football and baseball athlete.  He continued his education at University of New Hampshire where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Wild Life Management in 1967. 
   After graduation, he married the love of his life, Mary (Hatch) Henderson. They were married for 57 years.
   David enlisted in the US Army where he was stationed in Eschborn, Germany.  He served a two-year tour of duty from 1967 to 1969.  David and Mary welcomed their first-born son, Kevin, in Germany. He returned to the states and began teaching Science and coaching football and baseball in Windsor, Vermont.
In 1972, after their second son, Christopher, was born in Hanover, New Hampshire they relocated to Cape Cod.   
David was a Chatham Public School teacher, where he taught 7th & 8th grade science for 10 years, as well as coaching soccer and baseball. 
He and his wife, Mary, welcomed their third child, Elizabeth in 1977. 
David and Mary founded Mid-Cape Pest Control together in 1982, which is still a thriving local business after 42 years.  He was a respected member of his profession and community.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, David was a devoted family man, who loved his wife, children and grand children above all else. He was a beloved husband to Mary Henderson, and a devoted father to Kevin, Christopher, and Elizabeth.
In his free time, David enjoyed fishing and clamming in the summer months on Cape Cod with the Cape Cod Salties.  He also loved hunting where he traveled all over the country with hunting excursions and was a member of the Safari Club International. His golf game brought him joy and relaxation. He was a member at Cranberry Valley Golf Course in Harwich, MA for 25 years. He played a round of golf every day that the course was open. 
David enjoyed traveling with his wife, Mary.  They especially liked to travel to Bermuda where they had been able to visit numerous times since they first honeymooned in 1967.
David was an avid fan of the Cape Cod Baseball League.  The Harwich Mariners were his home team where he and Mary housed close to 100 players over 42 years.
David is survived by his wife, Mary, his 3 children and their spouses, Kevin and Meredith Henderson of Harwich, Christopher and Nicole Henderson of Tampa FL, and Elizabeth Henderson Layton of Harwich, and his 8 grandchildren, Mikayla, Coltan, Annalise, Lauren, Sydney, Alexis, Emily, and Tyler. He is also survived by his siblings, Bob Henderson and Peter Henderson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is also survived by favorite four legged companion, Scout.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date this year. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, 2095 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 or the Harwich Mariners, PO Box 12, Harwich Port, MA 02646.
David James Henderson will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on through his family, friends, and colleagues.
Notes of comfort may be made to David’s family at www.chapmanfuneral.com