Mr. Henry G. Sykes

July 14, 1927 - September 3, 2016

Henry G. Sykes Founder, Sykes the Florist Cherished Husband, Loving Father, Adoring Grandfather LOWELL—Henry G. Sykes led a long life filled with faith, service, and love. Henry LOVED. Henry loved God and his Church. He loved his community. He loved his friends, and if you knew Henry Sykes, you were his friend. His family was and will always be his greatest love and biggest joy. His wife Beverly, with whom he shared 63 wonderful years of marriage, and the family they raised together, Heather, Holly, Darren, and Laurel, were all so blessed to have such a caring, gentle husband and father. Grampa’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his center and true love. Pup was the most supportive grandfather who was always there for his grandchildren, always available for encouragement, advice, a sweet smile, and especially a big hug. Henry George Sykes’s story began on July 14, 1927 in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He was one of six children of Richard O. and Katherine (Vennard) Sykes. Moving to Lowell at a young age, Henry attended the Riverside School, and was a 1945 graduate of Lowell High School, where he was a member of the band. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy and served honorably until his discharge. Henry married the love of his life, Beverly M. Laurin, on October 8, 1949 at Fellowship Methodist Church, where they first met. Together they raised a large family whom he was extremely proud of. Henry and Beverly had a deep love and respect for one another. Their marriage was a special one and served as a loving example for their children and grandchildren. Henry’s faith in God was the foundation of his life, from which he built everything upon. Henry belonged to the former Fellowship United Methodist Church, the Centralville United Methodist Church, and the Lawrence St. Church. He was a Sunday School Superintendent and held many offices in the church over the years. If you knew Henry, you know he loved to sing. He was a gifted soloist and a proud member of the church choirs. Throughout his professional career and his life, Henry was a tireless volunteer, board member, and chair of several local charitable organizations, most notably the Salvation Army, Kiwanis, and the Masons. He was a lifetime Advisory Board Member of the Salvation Army and a bell ringer for many years. He could also be found volunteering at St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen. In 1948, Henry founded Sykes the Florist on Lawrence Street in the Wigginville section of South Lowell. For the next 68 years, Henry worked tirelessly to grow the family business. He made lasting relationships with just about everyone who came through the front door, or the greenhouse door. If you stopped in to the flower shop to place an order or pick up plants for your garden and you saw Henry, you left with so much more. You shared a laugh, or exchanged stories about life or your kids, got some advice, a big hug, and sometimes a cup of coffee and some of Beverly’s homemade treats. Whatever your experience was, Henry made it personal, and you always left feeling better about things than when you arrived. The Sykes’s customers are friends. You call on them to help you celebrate the happy times in your life, and ease the pain of the sad times. Flowers do that. Henry Sykes did it the best! Henry loved to work with his children. He was blessed that three of his four children followed in his footsteps (Holly is allergic to flowers and became a math teacher!). As a father, he taught his children the business he loved, always leading by example, hard work, respect, and compassion for others. Henry shared a special bond and love with his only daughter-in- law, Susan M. (Fitzsimmons) Sykes. He thought of Sue as his own. The Sykes family finds comfort in the fact that Henry is reunited with his precious Beverly and his dearest Sue. When Henry wasn’t working, he enjoyed the company of his family and friends. His home was where holidays were celebrated and friends and neighbors gathered to catch up. Henry also loved his camp. He loved the garden his son Darren planted up there. He loved to sit and watch the water and the clouds and the children playing by the shore. Henry also loved and hosted many hymn sings at Rock Pond. He and his wife Beverly enjoyed many family vacations. Henry liked to fish, and enjoyed most sports. He played softball and bowled in the church leagues. For many years he was a season ticket holder for the Boston Bruins, probably where his family’s love of hockey came from. He enjoyed many night games at Fenway Park watching the Red Sox play. He even saw Ted Williams last at bat on September 28, 1960. Henry enjoyed taking rides and visiting people. He enjoyed trips all over New England in the summer and winter, taking in the seasons and all they had to offer. Henry loved a good meal, usually followed by, but sometimes preceded by, an ice cream. Most recently he took many adventures with family to places old and new, telling stories, reliving precious memories, and making new ones. Henry peacefully went home to God on Saturday morning, September 3, 2016 with his loving children beside him, praying and singing hymns. In addition to his four devoted children Henry is survived by his sons-in-law, Heather’s husband Wayne Busa, of Tewksbury and Laurel’s husband, Emmet Millett of Lowell. Henry thought the world of these two men. Henry is also survived by his eleven adoring grandchildren, Heath Busa and his wife Julie, Joshua Sykes and his wife Abigail, Drew Busa and his wife Jesse, Bethany Peters and her husband Brian, Brittany Busa, Ashley Busa, Evan Millett and his fiancée Lindsey Sheehan, Emily Millett, Hillary Millett, Jesse Sykes, and Molly Millett; his seven great-grandchildren, Bryce Henry, Shane, Thomas, Brinkley, Josephine, Amos, and Keira; his sister, Isabelle Shepherd and her husband Frank; his brother Tom Sykes and his wife Aubrey; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Muriel Laurin; lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Henry was the brother of the late Dick Sykes and his wife Myrtle, Frank Sykes and his wife Helen, and Janet and her husband Dick Bowden. Henry George Sykes was a true gentleman, and a warm and wonderful man. He had a listening heart and a gentle spirit. He lived his whole life as a Christian example for others to follow: pray, be kind, give back, live life to the fullest, love everyone, and be sure to smell the flowers along the way. FUNERAL NOTICE HENRY G. SYKES HENRY G. SYKES, age 89, a resident of South Lowell, peacefully went home to God on September 3, 2016. He was the beloved husband of the late Beverly M. (Laurin) Sykes. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on WEDNESDAY from 3 until 7 PM. His FUNERAL SERVICE will take place on THURSDAY MORNING at 10 o’clock at the LAWRENCE STREET CHURCH, 1189 Lawrence St. Lowell. Please meet at the Church. Burial will follow in the family lot in the LOWELL CEMETERY. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Henry’s memory may be made to The Lawrence Street Church, 1189 Lawrence Street, Lowell, MA 01852 or to The Centralville United Methodist Church, 800 Bridge Street, Lowell, MA 01850. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com