Passing of Deacon Gregory R.R. Henderson

March 25, 1957 to January 18, 2024

Surrounded by his loving family, Deacon Gregory R. R. Henderson peacefully passed away on the morning of Thursday, January 18, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer. Deacon Greg was a humble, compassionate man with a ready smile who has left an impressive legacy of love and service. Deacon Greg was born on March 25, 1957, in Santa Barbara, California to John Robert Henderson, Jr. and Lalitha Sastri Henderson. He attended Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California and then Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara. He earned his accounting degree from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, in 1980, and was named a member of the NCAA Academic All-American Basketball Team, 1978-79. He began work on a master’s in business administration at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, India.   He married his beloved wife, Beatriz Camacho, on June 25, 1988, at St. Pius X Parish in El Paso, Texas. Together he and Beatriz were blessed with eight children: Santiago, Fr. Agustin, Lilia, Evelina, Benjamin, Estevan, Dante, and Francisco. Deacon Greg’s love for, and pride in, his family radiated in everything he did both personally and professionally.  

Professionally, Deacon Greg was known for his intellect, wisdom, integrity, and honesty. Early in his career he worked as the finance director of McKee Wallwork & Co. and as vice president of finance at Strascina & Partners, both advertising agencies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He then served for 12 years as the chief financial officer of Accion, a national nonprofit lending corporation in Albuquerque that serves small businesses and start-ups.  

Greg’s devotion to Christ and his return to the Roman Catholic Church were woven into all aspects of his life. Answering God’s call to serve as a permanent deacon, Greg was ordained to the permanent Diaconate for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe on July 12, 2003. His faithful service to the people of New Mexico included serving at San Jose Parish from July 2003 to April 2015 and then San Martin de Porres from April 2015 to April 2017.   

In 2017, Deacon Greg and Beatriz faithfully followed God’s lead and moved their family to Tucson, Arizona to be near Beatriz’s mother. On August 22, 2017, Bishop Emeritus Gerald F. Kicanas, D.D., appointed Deacon Greg to the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Tucson where he served until his passing. He worked closely with each of the parishes of the diocese and served as a valued member of numerous boards and committees. During his time in Tucson, he also ministered as a deacon at the parishes of Our Mother of Sorrows and St. Francis de Sales. 

Deacon Greg was an exemplary man who unassumingly impressed everyone he met. His love for his faith was inspirational and his unconditional love, patience, wit, and compassion could be seen in his care for his family and his dedication to his colleagues. He was an active man who loved hiking with his children, camping and spending time outdoors. His death leaves a deep wound that is gravely felt by his family, parishioners, friends, the personnel of the Diocese of Tucson Pastoral Center and the vast community he served so well.  

Deacon Greg is survived by his beloved Beatriz and their children, of whom he was so very proud: Santiago (Tucson), Reverend Agustin (Santa Fe); Lilia (Charlotte, North Carolina); Evelina (Tucson), Benjamin (Rochester, New York), Estevan (Santa Paula, California); Dante (Tucson), and Francisco (Tucson.)  He is also survived by his brother Tom Henderson and his mother-in-law, Alba Keesal. 

The Funeral Mass for Deacon Greg was held Monday, January 22, 2024, at St. Augustine Cathedral. Burial followed immediately after Mass at Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson, Arizona.  

Eternal rest grant unto Deacon Greg, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen