Contributions
in Brenton’s memory, contributions may be made to the Community College of Rhode Island’s Student Film Festival sponsored by CCRI’s New Media Group. Brenton won an award for his experimental film “Eadweard Meets Charles,” during the inaugural festival in 2013, which Brenton helped organize.
Brenton Gray Henderson
February 12, 1984 - November 5, 2014
I have that writer’s personality where I’m better if I compose my thoughts, not just spitballing on the spot, so I think video really lends itself to that. I just love creating something that will affect people.
Brenton Gray Henderson, 30, of East Greenwich, R.I., passed away unexpectedly Nov. 5, 2014. Brenton was a beloved son and brother; cherished uncle, nephew, cousin and friend; talented and award-winning filmmaker; karaoke all-star; passionate musician; natural comedian; comic genius; and a trendsetter in the art of contemporary laughter and merriment.
Brenton made people laugh. Really laugh. That hysterical, sides-aching, tears-rolling-down-their-cheeks kind of laughter. The one that makes your heart work overtime and your smile stretch ear-to-ear.
Brenton was one-of-a-kind. His impersonations, impromptu monologues, films and speeches were the masterpieces of a creative genius. Among his many works, performances, and Youtube videos, he will especially be remembered for his award-winning short “Edward meets Charles” and the best man speech from his younger brother’s wedding (when he ragged on his brother for stealing Christmas from him by being born on Christmas Day).
Brenton was one to embrace the moment. He often broke out in song, serenading those riding with him on long car rides or in the next aisle at the grocery store with Elvis or the Beatles. He was never afraid to sing in the shower or to himself or in front of people he didn’t know. He was never afraid to look foolish if it might make someone else laugh.
Brenton was a true person. He was sensitive and observant. He gave honest compliments and genuine hugs. Everything he decided to learn he set out with determination to master: a piano piece, a video game, or a film script. He defied materialism. When others would buy gifts, he got a kick out of re-gifting, recording songs, making t-shirt puns, or anything that allowed the gift to carry deeper meaning than the thing itself. He taught us to see the humor in conformity.
Brenton was a film student at the Community College of Rhode Island and the University of Rhode Island. His memory will be cherished forever by his many survivors, several who were the “stars” of his films:
His mother
Charlene (Greenwood) Henderson of East Greenwich
His brothers and sister
Joshua Gray Henderson and his wife Meghan of Naples, Italy
Christine Sauchuk and her husband Jared of Uncasville, Conn.
Robert G. Henderson of Warwick
Michael Henderson of Orlando, Fla.
His nephew and niece
Michael and Brianna Henderson of Orlando, Fla.
His aunts and uncles
Doug Greenwood and Elaine DeSilva of Coventry
David St. Germain and Virginia Greenwood of Warwick
Linda Greenwood of East Greenwich
Jeanne Bowden of East Greenwich
CarolAnn and Gregory Fisch of San Diego, Calif.
Janet Cornell of East Greenwich
David Cornell of Coventry
Brent and Gail Richardson of Clayton, N.Y.
Carole Elias of Warwick
His cousins
Jennifer Swinburne of Smithfield
Derek Swinburne of Warwick
Jason, Melanie, Noelle, Hannah, Abbie and Jake Greenwood of Fredericksburg, Va.
Harrison St. Germain of Manassas Park, Va.
Cameron St. Germain of Washington, D.C.
Alexina Cather, Eli McCoy and Hardin McCoy of Oakland, Calif.
Ryan Cather of San Diego, Calif.
Austin Carr, Mark Matteson, Caleb Carr and Dylan Matteson of Coventry
Matthew Carr of Warwick
Perry Cornell, Mary Conway and Audriana Conway of Coventry
Daniel Cornell of Coventry
Paige, Michael and Avery Moore of Warwick
Chris Richardson of Clayton, N.Y.
Lisa Carter and family of Conn.
Scott and Karen Elias and family of Hope
Dennis and Pam Barlow and family of North Kingstown
His dog and film star
Zoe Henderson
His loving and loyal friends
A list far too long to be recounted heres
Brenton was predeceased by his father, Robert Gray Henderson, and his four grandparents, Eugene and Genevieve Greenwood, and Raymond and Anita Henderson.
Brenton was generous without pretense. He was an organ and tissue donor and his death became a gift of life and recovery for others in need.
Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 12 at Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main Street, East Greenwich, R.I. 02818.
Funeral: 11 a.m. Thurs., Nov. 13 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Division Street, East Greenwich, R.I. 02818. Burial will follow at the First Lutheran Cemetery in East Greenwich.
Contributions in Brenton’s memory may be made to the Community College of Rhode Island’s Student Film Festival sponsored by CCRI’s New Media Group. Brenton won an award for his experimental film “Edward Meets Charles,” during the inaugural festival in 2013, which Brenton helped organize.
Brenton made people laugh. Really laugh. That hysterical, sides-aching, tears-rolling-down-their-cheeks kind of laughter. The one that makes your heart work overtime and your smile stretch ear-to-ear.
Brenton was one-of-a-kind. His impersonations, impromptu monologues, films and speeches were the masterpieces of a creative genius. Among his many works, performances, and Youtube videos, he will especially be remembered for his award-winning short “Edward meets Charles” and the best man speech from his younger brother’s wedding (when he ragged on his brother for stealing Christmas from him by being born on Christmas Day).
Brenton was one to embrace the moment. He often broke out in song, serenading those riding with him on long car rides or in the next aisle at the grocery store with Elvis or the Beatles. He was never afraid to sing in the shower or to himself or in front of people he didn’t know. He was never afraid to look foolish if it might make someone else laugh.
Brenton was a true person. He was sensitive and observant. He gave honest compliments and genuine hugs. Everything he decided to learn he set out with determination to master: a piano piece, a video game, or a film script. He defied materialism. When others would buy gifts, he got a kick out of re-gifting, recording songs, making t-shirt puns, or anything that allowed the gift to carry deeper meaning than the thing itself. He taught us to see the humor in conformity.
Brenton was a film student at the Community College of Rhode Island and the University of Rhode Island. His memory will be cherished forever by his many survivors, several who were the “stars” of his films:
His mother
Charlene (Greenwood) Henderson of East Greenwich
His brothers and sister
Joshua Gray Henderson and his wife Meghan of Naples, Italy
Christine Sauchuk and her husband Jared of Uncasville, Conn.
Robert G. Henderson of Warwick
Michael Henderson of Orlando, Fla.
His nephew and niece
Michael and Brianna Henderson of Orlando, Fla.
His aunts and uncles
Doug Greenwood and Elaine DeSilva of Coventry
David St. Germain and Virginia Greenwood of Warwick
Linda Greenwood of East Greenwich
Jeanne Bowden of East Greenwich
CarolAnn and Gregory Fisch of San Diego, Calif.
Janet Cornell of East Greenwich
David Cornell of Coventry
Brent and Gail Richardson of Clayton, N.Y.
Carole Elias of Warwick
His cousins
Jennifer Swinburne of Smithfield
Derek Swinburne of Warwick
Jason, Melanie, Noelle, Hannah, Abbie and Jake Greenwood of Fredericksburg, Va.
Harrison St. Germain of Manassas Park, Va.
Cameron St. Germain of Washington, D.C.
Alexina Cather, Eli McCoy and Hardin McCoy of Oakland, Calif.
Ryan Cather of San Diego, Calif.
Austin Carr, Mark Matteson, Caleb Carr and Dylan Matteson of Coventry
Matthew Carr of Warwick
Perry Cornell, Mary Conway and Audriana Conway of Coventry
Daniel Cornell of Coventry
Paige, Michael and Avery Moore of Warwick
Chris Richardson of Clayton, N.Y.
Lisa Carter and family of Conn.
Scott and Karen Elias and family of Hope
Dennis and Pam Barlow and family of North Kingstown
His dog and film star
Zoe Henderson
His loving and loyal friends
A list far too long to be recounted heres
Brenton was predeceased by his father, Robert Gray Henderson, and his four grandparents, Eugene and Genevieve Greenwood, and Raymond and Anita Henderson.
Brenton was generous without pretense. He was an organ and tissue donor and his death became a gift of life and recovery for others in need.
Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 12 at Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main Street, East Greenwich, R.I. 02818.
Funeral: 11 a.m. Thurs., Nov. 13 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Division Street, East Greenwich, R.I. 02818. Burial will follow at the First Lutheran Cemetery in East Greenwich.
Contributions in Brenton’s memory may be made to the Community College of Rhode Island’s Student Film Festival sponsored by CCRI’s New Media Group. Brenton won an award for his experimental film “Edward Meets Charles,” during the inaugural festival in 2013, which Brenton helped organize.
