Former Hamden Mayor Craig Henrici Dies At 65

HAMDEN, CT — The town is mourning the loss of former Mayor Craig Henrici, who passed away Tuesday night after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 65. He is survived by his wife Lauren, his daughter Jill; and his sons, Luke and Tim.

Henrici served two terms as mayor, from 2005-2009, and was also a former Legislative Council president and state representative. Hamden’s flags will fly at half-mast as a celebration of Henrici’s life, career and legacy, officials announced on Wednesday afternoon.

“Mayor Henrici gave so much to our town, a place he truly loved,” Hamden Mayor Curt Balzano Leng said in a statement. “Working to serve his neighbors and his community was central to the person Craig was and this philosophy showed in the decades of governmental, civic organizations and community organizations he served in and for. His focus on the importance of community, respect and dignity, was exemplified in the public roles he held.

“The only thing he loved more than the town was his family, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them during this time. Our town, his town, will miss him and that special touch that he had on so many people’s lives.”

Henrici was integral in overseeing the construction of Hamden’s police headquarters and the restoration of Memorial Town Hall, tying the projects together to be certain both would get accomplished, according to a press release from the town. Henrici served 14 years on the Legislative Council, including serving as Council President from 1987-1997 where he earned a reputation for “honesty, effectiveness, fairness, consensus-building and always thanked members of the public when they would speak on matters, regardless of the topic,” according to the release.

“The Legislative Council extends its condolences to the family of former Mayor Craig Henrici,” Hamden Legislative Council President Michael McGarry said. “Craig's wit, intelligence, and warmth were apparent to anyone who knew him for even a brief moment. In Craig's roles for the town as Council President, State Representative, and Mayor, he served with grace and distinction. The Town of Hamden is certainly a better place for his service, and we mourn his loss.”

Henrici also served a term in the Connecticut General Assembly as state representative of the 103rd District from 1997-1999.

“It was my pleasure to work alongside Craig for several years,” Former Mayor Scott Jackson said. “He brought humor and instinct to the office, and I’m not sure if there is another person on Earth that I learned more from than from Craig Henrici.”

Henrici was a lifelong resident of Hamden and a standout hockey player during high school. He graduated Middlebury College in 1975 with a BA in Geography. He graduated cum laude from the University of Bridgeport School of Law in 1981. In 1983, he became a partner in the law firm of Loughlin Fitzgerald, P.C. where he practiced until becoming mayor in 2005. After serving two terms as Hamden mayor and working for the State of Connecticut for a period of time, Henrici went into private practice in 2010.

“Craig was the embodiment of what it meant to be part of a great community,” longtime friend and Town Center Park Commission Chair Matt Fitch said. “He was unfailingly respectful and polite to everyone who had the pleasure to meet him. He will be missed, but his example of what it means to be a good citizen, a good neighbor, and a good friend will be carried on by everyone lucky enough to know him.”

Henrici was a longtime member of the Board of Directors for the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce and was also a former Board of Trustees member of the Mount Carmel Congregational Church. He was a Rotarian and served in other numerous civic organizations including the Hamden Elks, Hamden Fathers Baseball and Hamden Youth Hockey, where he served as a coach.

“Today, I lost one of my best friends,” Longtime friend and Planning and Zoning Commissioner Joseph McDonagh said. “And Hamden lost one of its greatest political leaders of the past half century. Craig Henrici – council member, council president, state representative, and Mayor – passed away after fighting pancreatic cancer for 18 months. Craig was one of the most honest people I’ve even known. He had a habit of speaking his mind; not cruelly, not with disrespect, but honesty. He was that rare person who never confused honesty and rudeness.”

Photo via Hamden Town Center Park on Facebook