Born May 29, 1927, in Wilmington, DE to H. Lonsdale Miner and Samuel Bancroft Bird, Henry spent his early years there and in Chadds Ford, PA. Beginning at age 7, he spent several months every summer on Yarmouth Island, ME with his Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. It is there where he learned how to swim, row and sail; and it is where many of his life-long skills were formed.
He attended and graduated from Middlesex School in Concord, MA. He served in World War II as a Naval Medical Corpsman. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1946 and received the Victory Medal. After volunteering for service in the Navy, he attended Princeton University where he received a B.S. in Biology. For his scientific research on his senior thesis, he was awarded into the Sigma Xi Honor Society. Rowing all of his school years, he was the Cpt. and stroke for the Princeton lightweight crew. After a brief teaching fellowship at Bowdoin College, he was called to the ministry, and attended the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA where he received his Master of Divinity. He was ordained an Episcopal Priest in 1956.
More importantly, during seminary, he met his true love, Hildegarde deVermandois Brewster, to whom he was married for 58 years.
His calling took him and his family on a fascinating journey, which included: St. Paul’s in Bedford, MA, the Episcopal Parish on Martha’s Vineyard, MA, St. Paul’s in Brunswick, ME, and summer Chapels on Orr’s and Bailey Islands; San Juan Navajo Mission in Farmington, NM and St. Michael’s Upper Fruitland, NM, Epiphany Church in Socorro and T or C, NM and Urban Indian Ministries in Albuquerque, NM; South Freeport Congregational, and The Down-East Cluster Mission in Stonington, Castine, and Blue Hill, ME, and many places in-between.
A veteran for peace, Henry supported peaceful actions for humanity throughout the community, church and world. Though his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement was significant, it was his efforts to improve education, health and retain the dignity of indigenous populations from ME to NM that marked his substantial ministry. He was instrumental in the ordination of the first Navajo priest into the Episcopal Church.
Rowing was a true passion from an early age. He was a life-long member of the US Rowing Association and the Maine Rowing Association and was active in as many Maine rowing races as he could participate in and rowed year-round in Casco Bay. Hilde and Bo were his crew. In his age group he rowed in the Head-of-the- Charles regattas until the age 76. There was always the color orange to be seen about him and his boats.
He was active in volunteering at Harpswell Islands School, a SAD 75 mentor; served at area food bank and Habitat-for-Humanity. He also was a diligent daily letter writer. He most recently completed and published his memoirs, “Ride The Wind.” His four-legged companion Bosun, “Bo,” was always by his side.
He is survived by his wife, Hilde; children: William Bird, wife Sally; Holloway Bird Barreras, husband Marcus, Tad Bird, wife Patty; Paul Bird, and Anna-Sarah Bird Mueller, husband Michael, and nine grandchildren; Peter Bird, James Bird; Asher Barreras, Leah Barreras, Benjamin Henry Barreras; Elizabeth Bird, Holloway Bird, Andrew Bird; and Makayla Mueller.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Henry’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 27 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine at 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 13th, 2013. A reception is scheduled to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials in Henry Bird’s name to the: The Bath Area Food Bank, P.O. Box 65, Bath, ME, 04530; Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program, 84 A Union St., Brunswick, ME 04011; The Episcopal Relief and Development, P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058; and the Cundy’s Harbor Fire Department, c/o B. Taylor, 45 Taylor Road, Harpswell, ME 04079.
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