WINTHROP -- The children of Ernest Arthur Henderson announce with deep sorrow the passing of their father from this world on to his next adventure on March 6, 2012. Dad was born on April 4, 1923, to Ernest A. Henderson and Violet (Farmer) Henderson Fish. The fourth child of six, born on the family farm where O'Connor Motors now is, he grew up in Augusta where he had many friends and lots of interesting stories. He attended Augusta schools but left high school early to enlist in the Army Air Forces. Many years later he received his diploma from Cony High School, class of 1942. He was so very proud on that special evening in his life. Dad was a proud member of the Army Air Forces. His short stature put him in the lower ball turret of a B-17. On Feb. 24, 1944, on his 33rd mission, they were shot down over the Austrian Alps. He and his entire crew were captured and held as POWs for 15 months. They were liberated on May 7, 1945, by the British 8th Army. Dad was a Purple Heart recipient along with many other medals. On Feb. 27, 1946, he married the love of his life, Jennie Hayes. Dad first met Mom as a child on Sand Hill where he helped his Dad deliver milk from their farm. They were married for 54 years before Mom's death. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Jennie, in 2000; his brother, Waldo, in 1990; and his sisters, Marjorie in 2012, Beatrice in 2008 and Louise in 1927.He leaves behind three children, Janice Philippon and husband Raymond, Ernest A. Henderson, and Jennifer Lorette and husband David, all of Winthrop; grandchildren Raymond Philippon II of Winthrop, Jennie Alejandro of Aurora, Colo., Alicia Chapman and Kevin Lorette of Winthrop; two great-grandsons, Zachary and Tristen Chapman; a special niece, Moriah Windus, of Ozark, Ala.; his brother, Lewis Henderson, and wife Ramona of Dothan, Ala.; and his little Yorkie, Sammy, who has been his constant sidekick since 2000.Dad's first job was in 1939 at the home store at Togus, working for the Fullers. After the war he worked in the registrar division of the VA until 1967. He then transferred to the canteen service and retired from there in 1975. He worked with Stan Crockett to establish youth Little League in Winthrop and coached Babe Ruth baseball. He officiated football games for the Augusta Chapter of the American Football League. He was also on the football chain gang and ran the time clock for home football and basketball games. He loved watching his two grandsons play Winthrop sports. He was a recipient of the 1979-1980 Bud Clough Award. He was a member of the Music Boosters and helped raise money to send the band to the 1964 Inauguration in Washington, D.C.Relatives and friends may gather together from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2012, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop, where a celebration of Ernie's life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012. A service with full military honors will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012, in the chapel at the new Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon Avenue, Augusta. When the Civic Center Drive cemetery opens in the spring Ernie will be laid to rest next to his wife, Jennie. Ernie's children request that memorial donations be made in their father's memory to the Winthrop Congregational Church, UCC, 10 Bowdoin St., Winthrop 04364; or the Winthrop Sports Boosters, c/o Jane Belanger, 7 North Upper Narrows Lane, Winthrop 04364. Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.