Edwin M. Henry, Jr

Edwin M. Henry, Jr., a former attorney and electrical engineer, died Monday, August 23, 2010, at his home in Ellicott City. He was 80. He was born in Cambridge, MD on June 26, 1930, son of the late Emma Lee Henry Clayton and Edwin M. Henry, Sr.

Mr. Henry graduated from Cambridge High School in 1947. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and later attended the U.S. Naval Academy for two years. On February 2, 1952 he was married to his high school sweetheart Barbara Brittingham. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelors Degree in Engineering in 1957. For 14 years after graduation he was a radio transmission engineer at Westinghouse, working for various branches of the U.S. Military and intelligence community. Since 1969, Mr. Henry has made his home in Ellicott City, MD. He attended the University of Baltimore where he earned his law degree in 1972 and practiced law full-time until his retirement in 2007, at the age of 77. He was a 50 year member of Glen Burnie Lodge No. 213 A.F. & A.M., and a member of Cambridge Lodge No. 66 A.F. & A.M., Boumi Shriners, Royal Order of the Jesters, where he was a director in 2000, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Knights Templar. He was also a member of the Eastern Shore Shrine Club and Catonsville Shrine Club where he was president in 2004, Dorchester Historical Society, Howard County Historical Society and Men's Eastern Shore Society of Baltimore City where he was president in 1988. Mr. Henry was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City where he served on the Board of Trustees.

"Ed" was an outgoing person - never met a stranger. He was an avid reader, particularly of history and genealogy. Ed enjoyed his collections, including lighthouses and Eastern Shore books and memorabilia. He loved to travel, especially to Williamsburg, Cancun and Scotland.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years Barbara B. Henry of Ellicott City, two daughters Jo Pion and Kim Henry Reitz and their husbands Edward Pion of East New Market, MD and Richard Reitz of West Friendship, MD, four grandchildren Stephen E. Pion, Emily C. Pion, Katie Meredith Reitz and Christopher A. Reitz, one great grandchild Clayton F. Reitz and one step grandchild Michael E. Pion and his wife Addy Pion of Enola, PA, two step great grandchildren Avery J. Pion and Maggie A. Pion, one brother H. Keith Henry and his partner Steve Maslovich of Lewes, DE, one step sister Geri Creighton and her husband Donald Creighton of Salisbury, MD, sister-in-law Bobbie Brittingham of Easton, MD and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 25 at the Harry Witzke Funeral Home, 4112 Old Columbia Pike in Ellicott City, where members of Glen Burnie Lodge No. 213 will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 26 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2875 Bethany Lane in Ellicott City, MD with the Rev. David Simpson officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 P.M. at Dorchester Memorial Park in Cambridge, MD. Pallbearers will be Richard Reitz, Edward Pion, Stephen Pion, Christopher Reitz, Dickey Lowry, Donald Jones, Leon Tschantre, W. Melvin Turner, William W. Deissler, John Roth and Bill Purnell. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 2875 Bethany Lane, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Local arrangements are being handled by the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.