Former Deputy CoP sometimes taken for priest

A QUIET, humble man who was sometimes mistaken for a priest — that was how Richardson Henry, retired former Deputy Commissioner of Police, was remembered yesterday at his funeral service. Henry died on Sunday from cancer. He was 69 years old. At the service at the St Joseph RC church, St Joseph, three eulogies were read by ACP Gosine, Major Ronald Hogan and Henry’s sister, Flora. Gosine said Henry was a humble, polite man who was unique in that he never lost his temper. He recalled that Henry joined the police service in 1965 and was among the few who joined as an Assistant Superintendent. Henry served in various divisions including the Southern and Eastern Divisions. Gosine further told the packed congregation of mourners that Henry’s demeanour baffled many who were grounded in the “rough and gruff” of the police service. But he said Henry, who appeared docile, had a searching attitude and was sometimes mistaken for a priest. Henry became Deputy Commissioner of Police in 1990 and two years later was a member of a Cabinet team to implement reform in the police service. Gosine said he never lost faith in the Service.

He was also a sports enthusiast, especially in the game of lawn tennis. He became an umpire and had the distinction of umpiring at Flushing Meadows, New York and Wimbledon, England. Major Hogan of the Cadet Force, in his eulogy, said Henry was not only quiet but a man of punctuality who maintained high professional standards and “knew how to disagree without showing disagreement”. Henry reached the rank of Lieutenant in the Cadet Force. His sister Flora in her eulogy said he was a “gentle man of few words, witty and a model father and gave entirely of himself”. Henry was from a family of nine boys and three girls. He was also a teacher and lover of photography and ceramics with an interest in horticulture. Henry was also a keen ballroom dancer. Flora said Henry met his wife Yvonne while taking photos at the wedding of a relative. The homily was delivered by Fr Henry Charles who reminded mourners that every funeral service was a dress rehearsal for dying. Henry’s daughter Camille also gave a reading. The service was attended by dozens of police officers including Acting Commissioner of Police, Everald Snaggs, and former Commissioners Hilton Guy and Jules Bernard and Independent Senator and attorney Dana Seetahal. Members of various organisations to which Henry was a member were also in attendance. Henry was buried at the Lapeyrouse Cemetery.