Essex - Essex - Dennis L. Henderson, 84, of Essex, passed away on Thursday, October 9th after a long and courageous battle with cancer, he was surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Essex to the late James and Madith (Callahan) Henderson.

Dennis was a lifelong resident of Essex and a graduate of Gloucester High School. He made his living from the Essex River, clamming, lobstering and fishing, though it was clamming he was most passionate about, even traveling to Washington State to dig. He enjoyed everything about it-except the cold north wind. He valued the freedom of being his own boss and the camaraderie he shared with fellow clammers. Most of all, he loved to teach new clammers how to "dig a good clam," especially his grandsons. One of his favorite phrases was, "keep your hole clean." One of the last times he drove a boat, he spent the day taking his great-granddaughter "down river". In his younger days, Dennis, like his father, loved to smelt fish on the Essex River, a community event each winter.

Later in life, Dennis enjoyed sitting in the sunporch with his brothers, reading the newspaper and looking at the river he spent his life on. Some of Dennis' favorite pastimes included playing cribbage, betting on horse racing, watching sports, and deer hunting. There was always time for a game of cribbage. His opponent would say he was lucky, but he was strategically careful about his next play, creating his own luck, and he won a lot. Dennis loved to bet on the ponies and prided himself on his handicapping skills, spending hours scrutinizing racing programs. In June, he traveled with his family to Saratoga for the running of the Belmont Stakes, and he was the only one to come back on the winning side. Dennis liked sports, and, like his mother, he loved to root for the Red Sox. He would travel all over to watch his grandchildren play in school sporting events. In the fall, Dennis would find time to go deer hunting, which kept him connected to his lifelong friends who hunted with him.

Dennis had an amazing knowledge of Essex and its townspeople; he often knew things about someone's family that they didn't even know themselves. With the help of some amazing medical professionals, Dennis overcame more than his fair share of life-threatening issues, may he rest in peace now.

Dennis is survived by his three loving daughters, Karen Russell and her husband Timothy of Portsmouth, NH; Sheila Carter and her husband Keith of Essex; Lori Henderson and her partner Kevin Oyer of Essex; two brothers, James Henderson and Michael Henderson, both of Essex; six beloved grandchildren, Marko Vecchione; Brody Vecchione; Jesse Interrante; Kevin Carter; Craig Carter; Melanie Carter; two dearest great grandchildren, Mia Vecchione; Kayce Vecchione; former wife, Joanne Henderson of Essex; and countless friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son Dennis Henderson, Jr.

In accordance with Dennis' wishes, there will be no funeral services. A Celebration of Dennis' Life will be held in the coming months. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. Condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.