Malcolm R. Henderson, 81, of Vero Beach, died Monday, May 23, 2016 with his family by his side. Mal was born to the late Duncan and Catherine Henderson on March 18, 1935 in Flushing, NY. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joel Henderson.

He graduated from Lincoln High School in Ferndale, MI in 1953 and enlisted in the Air Force on February 23, 1954. After serving in Korea, Mal went to work as an Air Traffic Controller until he retired in 1985 at the age of 50 with 31 years of Federal service.

He married the love of his life, Joan Smiley on September 8, 1956. They lived together and raised their children in Amherst, OH before relocating to Sebastian, FL in 2005 and Vero Beach in November of 2014.
Mal was an active member of the Vermilion, Ohio United States Power Squadron where he served as the Commander, as well as the Ohio District Commander of the United States Power Squadron.

Mal enjoyed boating and fishing as well as aviation. He loved being on the water as many vacations were spent exploring the Great Lakes with his family, along with cruising down the Intercoastal Waterway with his wife Joan to Florida.

Mal is survived by his wife, Joan, along with his children, Cathy Crist and Beth Whelan of Vero Beach and Greg Henderson of Conyers, GA. He is also survived by his sister, Catherine Moore of Burgaw, NC along with nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held later in the year in Sebastian.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Malcolm's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com