At about 11:11 pm on Monday, September 29, 2008, Henry's soul left his diseased and twisted body behind. Mama and Dad were with him, holding and kissing him.
Always the warrior, Henry was his own Alamo: Davy Crockett in a Nintendo cap. But being the gentle warrior, his final words were all expressions of love. At one point, he spontaneously declared, "My love is real."
We are devastated and inconsolable.
In a sense, Henry was a child of Shakespeare. Mama and Dad met and fell in love while working at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Henry grew up playing on the grounds and partying in the lobby under the gaze of the large Delacorte statue. We give Shakespeare the last words here:
“When he shall die, take him and cut him out in little stars and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun.”
posted by TC @ 2:49 AM
73 Comments:
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Henry's passing. Our time spent with Henry was an absolute treat. He was funny, intelligent and a pleasure to be around. We'll always remember and cherish the time he spent at our activities. If at anytime you are in need of assistance or support please, please contact us. You'll continually be in our thoughts and prayers.
Connor, Amy & Teresa-
The Camp Happy Days Team
Words leave me as I try to understand this loss. Henry's light will never leave this world and the place he touched in our hearts will never be the same. Thank you for sharing Henry, for sharing your joys and sorrows over the last two years, with so many. My heart is full of love for you all and the only hope I can cling to is knowing that Henry is no longer in pain, but joyfully kicking Nintendo butt somewhere. And yes, he's shining among the stars, always.
May you find comfort in God's love during this difficult time. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Love,
Michelle, Kev and Trevin
I send you love and prayers. Melaine
We send you love. Kevin, Sharon, Aidan and Sam
My perspective of life as changed today by your great lost. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you both, Pam N
I want to say so much, but dont have the words to put into complete sentneces as I learn about the loss of your son. I never met him but he has become the inspriation for so much in my life. His amazing couarge and strength amazes me. He is someplace better now, somewhere that he above all deserves to be...heaven. Thank you for blessing all of us with such an amazing boy.
-Taylor O'Leary
HHP
My heart is saddened for the loss of such an amazingly strong boy who didn't deserve the cards he was dealt in this life. My only hope is that the way in which he handled his pain and the obstacles in his life become symbols of strength to those who also suffer. He is in a better place now, where angels can lift him up, away from all of his pain so that he can sit beside our Lord and watch over those that he loved so. My life will forever be changed just in knowing a funny, intelligent, stong willed boy named Henry.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Staff and the entire Hilton Head Plantation Community we wish to express our sorry for the loss of Henry. Henry’s courage, wisdom and humor inspired us all. We are all better for having known Henry even though his time with us was all too short. Our thoughts and prayers are with Henry and his family.
We are deeply saddend by the news of Henry's passing but will remember him as one who put much joy in our lives and we are so happy to have shared some of his short time with us. He will be in our hearts and mind always. All of our love to you both.
Fran and Aaron
I wish I had words to comfort, but with such a loss I too am at a loss. As your friend Pam N. said...
"My perspective of life has changed today by your great loss"
... and may I add, my perspective of life also has changed because of being touched by Henry, mama, and you. I will see Henry tonight and every night when I look up and see the stars.
Thank you for sharing Henry with me and all.
With love and more, I send my deepest sympathy.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Kajon
I'm thinking of you constantly.
Love, Jenny
I am so very sorry for your loss. You have been in my prayers constantly, and you will continue to be. Henry's pain and suffering is over, and I am certain that he is resting in God's loving embrace. It is my prayer that you feel God's embrace as you try to deal with your continued pain and suffering. God bless you and know that we are so very sorry.
Susan (& Casey) Hebbel and Chuck, Amy and Jen
I have been following Henry's blog through Betsy who told me about this amazing young man - I wish there were words to express my feelings right - I cannot even imagine what you are both going through - but I am one of many people who will keep you in my heart and prayers.
There are no words to console – but know there is a great collective hug of arms surrounding you and mama and the undeniable spirit named Henry. And yet, there is comfort in the uncountable numbers of hearts that were, and still are, deeply filled by the life of your son. I know my heart pains for your loss.
-Les Kniskern
Cousin Henry will be my inspiration for my lifetime. I will honor his courage in my heart for the rest of my life.
Love,
Cousin Willy
the stars will shine brighter because Henry is among them. Your strength as a family should teach everyone to cherish each other and each moment.
Betsy
Henry is a great kid and Boy Scout. We will miss him and always remember him...Michael G
Oh, God Bless you all. You are in our prayers as I struggle for feeble words of comfort. We wish you peace and endurance, strength and sustenance. You all have fought such a fight. Please feel ALL parents' arms around you as we grieve beside you. Oh, how we wish you God's peace...Beth G
I am very saddened by Henry's passing but I do know that his spirit will live forever and that you will be reunited in the end. Henry was a beautiful young man with incredible courage. I will never forget him.
Caroline Jenkins
The night will always look brighter to us now. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you.
Sandy and Maurice Feldman
Henry was an angel walking among us and I feel blessed to have met such a special young man. You will forever have an amazing light shining down on you from heaven.
Mrs.K.Thompson
HHIMS Stingrays have their arms around you...We are connecting hands tomorrow in Henry's honor...
We will miss him dearly...
Sherry DeSimone
Terry and Cynthia...I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling right now. It has been so long since we have said hello, and I wish I had been given the chance to know Henry. My heart is with you, and I pray that you are turning to each other at this time of incredible sorrow. May loved ones hold you up until you are strong enough to stand on your own...please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Cyndie (Merillat) Koetting
I did not know Henry but he has touched a number of people around this area. When i look at his picture the look in his eyes is that of an angel and that is what he is. Henry and your family will be in my prayers and my heart.
I am unable to gather words to express the heaviness in my heart. Bug gave me the news this PM and I immediately prayed for strength and wisdom for you both. Please know, how sorry I am . As you know Henry will always be so special to me as I was HIS very FIRST babysitter. May God please take care of you and give Henry's star the brightness to guide us all.
I love you deeply, Vivian
P.S. I will truly never see 11:11 am or pm the same
Vivian
Terry and Cynthia.....
I am so sad to hear of your loss. My love and prayers go out to you and your family.
Kisses,
Jeff (Dutter)
I know that their are no words that can console you...I'm very sorry for your loss...thank you for sharing him with us
jc
Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved Henry. The pain you are feeling now will turn to joy when you meet eachother agin. Our family cannot express the words to comfort you but know that Henry is looking down on you and holding you up with his love, strength and courage.
Justin Oliveira and Family
You are in my thoughts in this time of grief. Love to you both, Clay
I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept our deepest sympathy. We are thinking of you and send our love and prayers.
John Bagby and Family
To the Cermak family. Although I have never met Henry, my heart is saddened that one so young has left this earth. I can only imagine your heartache, but I do know that God definitely had a plan for his life and now through is death. My church has been praying for him for months and I know that God knows far more than us, but the pain of losing someone is never easy. Just know that you continue to be in my prayers and know that God is watching over all of you to comfort, soothe, and love you all.
Sincerely
Charice DG
We can never thank you enough for sharing Henry's light and inspiration with all of us. He continues this minute to change the way we see and feel about life. If only we could shoulder our fair share of the saddness and relieve you, in some measure, of yours. In deep gratitude for his life and your generosity in sharing it with us. - Michael
This is a friend of henry's from HHIMS. I was in fourth grade with Henry and he was so caring and funny. This seventh grade year has been so very hard not being able to see him or hear all his jokes. In sixth grade, I was in Henry's
8th period class and I'm 99.9 % sure he thought I was very wierd (Gee, I wonder why?)! But he always made me laugh and told me things that I didn't even ask to know, that he just decided to tell me. For instance, we were talking once and he said, "Talk in my other ear. I am deaf in this one." He then explained why and how and I felt so sorry, but he said it with no shame. I thought, and so did a ton of other people, that he was one of the nicest, caring, fun-loving, awesome boys I've ever gotten to share my life with.
With all the love in the world,
Savana D. from school
We will miss Henry so much!! This is a great page and remember that God is always with you. We wish you peace and strength through this hard time.
Our love, prayers and thoughts are with you.
Paul & Sonja
i didn't know henry but i do know that he was a great person.Even though i didn't know him i still feel grief.
Why does one child live and not another? It doesn't seem fair. I have always thought and prayed for the miracle of success for Henry. To be enveloped in such love during our final moments is what we can all hope for. Yours is a truly remarkable family. Through tears and prayers, The Sanz Family
I don't know the right words to say to you... I didn't know your son and I don't know how you're feeling. I wish I had been able to meet Henry. Regardless, he has still had a profound affect on my life. Through all the stories and the fundraisers that I've participated in I sometimes felt as if he was my friend. Through God I suppose we're all friends. I just want you to know that you're in my thoughts and prayers as you have been for quite some time and will continue to be.
Janie Bragg
Hilton Head Prep
We are deeply saddened to hear of Henry's passing. He was truly a remarkable boy with an incredible spirit. We grieve with you and for you at his loss. I want to thank you for sharing your journey over the last two years with so many of us far away through this blog. The grace and courage that the three of you showed has truly been an inspiration. Henry will live on in the memories of the many, many people whose lives he has touched and inspired through his courageous battle. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We will remember Henry each time we look at the stars.
With love and prayers,
Judy, Chris, Thomas & Madeleine Hardt
Terry and Cynthia-
We love you and are praying for God to give you strength in the coming days and months. Henry constantly made us smile- I can see him catching frogs with Aiden on the volleyball court.
Love,
Kim, Doug, Emily, and Anna Marie
I am very sad to hear about Henry loss, Ive known henry maybe for 3 years,I willmiss him deeply.
Sinceirly, Matt Handley
henrey you will be in our hearts forever i deeply miss you lots i feel for you and your family you were a nice stingray pal and ill miss you for ever and ever
love always,
Mary Piper martel
Im so sorry for your loss. We will all miss you.
Dear lovedones of Henry I'm very sorry for the loss of Henry it is great thing to open a blog like this. A while go he was in my boyscout troop he came over to my house I remember he was a very funny guy. Im still deeply sorry.
Sinceirly, Matt.H
we all miss henry very much. i will keep you in my prayers
-megan w.
love alays henry --- your stingray family
Fly free Henry. You may have left this world, but your amazing spirit will always remain. You have been an inspiration to many, and will never be forgotten.
Love from the Badger family in HHP
My heart is saddened for the loss of such an intelligent,funny, and caring young man. I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with him and be enlightened by his curiosities.Your family and his friends are in my thoughts and prayers...
Our family is so sorry for your loss and you will be in our hearts and prayers. Henry was so blessed to have all of you as you were to have him. He will be a wonderful angel and I know will help God watch over all of you. Mary Katherine and all of the Stingrays learned some very imporatnt lessons from Henry - thank you for sharing him.
The Schramm's
We love you. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you both and with Henry's beautiful soul.
Cathy, Ray and Griffin
TOGHETHER WE FLY RIP HENRY WE WILL MISS U A LOT IN GOD WE TURST LOVE DUPONT
Mr. and Mrs. Cermak,
I am very sorry what happened to Henry. I hope you all will feel better soon.
Sincerely,
John Carter
I never knew Henry except through his Blog and his cousin Penton. Henry touched my life as he has touched so many other's lives. Thank you for opening your hearts and lives to stangers who kept up with Henry's daily srtuggles. This allowed us to pray and pray hard for him. He meant a lot to me and I never even met him. Henry was very wealthy in the fact that he had you two as parents. No one could have loved him more or helped him like you too. My prayers are with you and your family everyday. I wish I could take YOUR hurt away.
I have never met henry before,but i've heard so much about him.
I'm a sixth grader this year.All the teachers talked to ous about him.They expressed their feelings about him so much that I knew that he was a greatperson.I was so insipered by his courage as I read alng through his blog.Iknew exacly how the loss of someone feel.
with much love,maria p
I am deeply saddened to hear that Henry passed. He brought such joy to everyone he met!!!! Just know that Henry is that shining star. That wonderful smile will never be forgotten. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. And everytime I play my Wii, I will think of Henry!
Nobody in 6th grade new him but we all started crying when we heard the news. I will always keep you and Henery in my prayers. Sorry for you loss, I'll pray often.
Love,
Shea
We will never ever forget Henry. These last few months we have thought of you all so very often. Henry was such a kind, smart, funny kid, he was truly an old soul. We will never look at our little frog terrrium without thinking of sweet Henry. Thank you for sharing your precious son with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad, sad time.
Austin, William, Diana, and Don
Dear Cynthia & Terry ~ My Deepest sympathy goes to you and your family. It is so true to say that your Henry is part of the Stars and that he is in Heaven sitting by our Lords side. Know that God always has a plan though we may not understand. An Angel in Heaven as he was on Earth! As soon as I heard the news I sat down and cried WITH YOU ~ WITH EVERYONE. Wednesday night at Church my children had asked the teachers to add Henry and you in their opening prayers. Please, Please feel the prayers and love that everyone is sending during this difficult time and also forever. With God's love you will stand strong and stand strong together.
Our family has always said prayers for Henry. We have been kept up to date about him though a mutual friend ~ RR ~ and through scouting. God Bless All of You!!!
The Martel Family
I met Henry in December 2007 at the Mulberry in Savannah, he was truly an amazing boy. My heart goes out to his family during this time of sorrow. He was very funny, full of questions, a true delight, and I think a little shocked when he saw that much candy was in his hotel room. Thank you for sharing Henry with so many of us, he was truly one of a kind and I know I will never forget him!
Keeping you in our prayers,
Jeff, Amanda, & Jillian Marks
Savannah, GA
What a truly amazing boy... Henry has touched so many hearts- our lives will be forever changed due to what we learned from this courageous young man. The stars will shine brighter because Henry is among them. Your family has taught me to cherish each and every moment. You are continually in our thoughts and prayers here in Atlanta, GA. May God comfort you all.
The Morris Family
i was one of Henrys friends i met him in 4th grade he was an amazing kid no one could ever compair to henry. He was a good kid and i will never forget him.
Austin Mcloud Fellow HHIMS student
RIP HENRY CERMAK
WE will all miss you henry. you were the best friend any body could have. you where always smiling .you could also put a smile on anyones face. No that you gone we are all in grief.-Kc Casavant
This is Mikaela from HHIMS. I will miss Henry so much. He was one of my good friends. When I found out he passed away, I was heart broken. But then I thought that he is in a better place. Though I miss him dearly, I know that he is watching over us. Henry will be deeply missed, not just as a friend, but also as a son and a student. We will never forget his awesome smile or atittude. Please know that. Thanks.
- Mikaela Clancy
Dear Terry and Cynthia,
Our deepest sympathy is with you now and always. We are very sorry to hear about your loss.
love,
Jolea, Kate and Ben Harrison
Henrywas a great boy and he will be missed deeply.Even though we've never known henry, me and my fellow 6th graders are missing him. I speak for the whole 6th grade when i say that we are deeply sorry for your loss.
Emily Farnham-6th grader from HHIM
even i never met you but you a lot mean to me and so i love even if i never met ever in my 8 year old life i still love you SO much
bobby john pual
Terry and Cindy,
Words fall so short when it comes to the loss of a beautiful and beloved child. God's plan can be painfully unclear at times like this, but I'm certain that Henry blessed more people in his short life than most do over a long life. Angels sometimes fly away too quickly.
I wish I had known him.
God Bless, Penny Starr
Every time I hear this song I say out load "This song is for You Henry!"
Jeremy Camp - There Will Be A Day
From the album Speaking Louder Than Before
I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that trys to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always
I know the journey seems so long
You feel you’re walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone
Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting
I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why, this is why, I sing
Seeing you both and being there meant the world to me. Henry has become a part of my life, especially through Dad's beautiful blogs. I think I see Henry through his parents' eyes. There have up to now been two angels in my life from whom I learned a lot. Now I believe I have three--including Henry. His strength, wit and love have been a blessing to me. He did in twelve years what no one else has done. I will always be grateful for this. You two are supremely blessed. It"s hard to tell just who was the head of your family. I;m thinking it was Henry--and you two have been well schooled. These days will be awful, I know. You have inherited Henry's insight and will always have him with you. I love you both and hope you will call on me if you want to. Otherwise, I will see you when it's time to go on our nature walk. The service was beautiful and was perfect for Henry---especially the guitar part. I appreciate being a part of the family. I love you, bug
Cynthia and Terry-Beautiful memorial service-beautiful boy! I'm so so sorry in your loss. There are truly no words at a time such as this. I told my middle son, Joe, who lives in NJ about Henry's passing. He said it's ok mom, He has no more pain. But you do. And I wish I could take just some of that from you, but no one can. But I know tonight at 11:11 Henry's wish will be for mama and dad to not hurt and to smile again. So that's my wish too. I will wish every 11:11 for that for you both. You are such precious spirits. Henry is a gift to this world and for eternity. You will be together again, and he won't be in that twisted body. Keep your faith, for it is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Never grow weary and lose heart. God has said, never will I leave you nor forsake you. Feel his presence today and all your tomorrow's. He loves you, we love you. We love Henry and what he taught us and our children.
Terry and Cynthia,
Henry will be truly missed. I remember when i moved here in 4th grade, he was the first one to talk to me at the bus stop. He was so sweet and kind to people no matter what. I remember that he was never in a bad mood. We all will miss him dearly, but remember he is in a better place. We all love you and henry.
Bryn Lauffer
henry, you gave us all hope with your continuous positive attitude. Although I didn't know you, you were a great inspiration. You had a huge impact on my life and the life of many others. You are a wonderful person.
Lilla Felix grade 6, HHIMS :)
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