Remembering Mark Henry

NHS Global Events Remembers The “Consummate Gentleman”

This will probably be the most difficult story NHS Global Events’ employees and clients will ever read in any edition of Eventful. But it’s important to share just some of the many beloved memories we have of our former colleague, Director of National Accounts Mark Henry.

Mark’s birthday would have been today, March 20th, but we lost this person who provided so much light and positive energy to cancer in December. And while it was that disease that forced his retirement last October, in the eyes of NHS Global Events President Bill Lynch, “Mark could never retire from NHS.” That’s because his charm, brilliance, empathy and quest for precision will remain with us every single day.

“From the time I met him 15 years ago, he taught me how to live life,” Bill says. “Kindness, humility and caring are the three words that aptly describe this consummate gentleman.”

“Work was a joyful part of his life. He was always meticulous, the picture of grace and cool. And he was always fun to be around.”

“Since his passing, we have lived by the mantra, ‘What would Mark Henry do?'” shares NHS Vice President Sean Lynch. “That’s in how to live life, what to do in business, how you treat other people. Even dealing with strangers, he always did the right thing. In everything he did, he exuded integrity, curiosity and the utmost in service. I’ll never forget the one-on-one times I shared with him. Those moments were always extra special.”

At Mark’s retirement party in October, NHS Global Events Sourcing Manager Sarah Veldhuis shared a poem that she wrote for Mark. Here is an excerpt:

Today is a celebration of someone we all adore,
A face we will miss seeing in Skokie, coming through our door,
His reputation in the industry, could never be beat
Getting to work with you Mark, was truly a treat
Your smile, your humor, your manners, your grace
You made working at NHS, a much better place

And Melissa Swakow, NHS Global Events Manager of Meetings & Events, remembers this about Mark. “Mark reminded us the importance of spending time with your loved ones and valuing experiences over belongings. When I think of Mark, I imagine him walking the streets in Paris, dancing at Thalia Hall to a band few of us have heard of and dining at the newest Chicago restaurants with his wife and daughters. Those thoughts will always make me smile (and want to book my next vacation!).”

One lesson Sean Lynch hopes everyone will take from the life of this great man is this. “Mark reminded us every day that this life is first and foremost about people.”

If you’d care to honor the wonderful life of Mark Henry, we ask that you make a kind contribution to the PCMA Mark Henry Scholarship Fund. Pledges received by April 1, 2018 are being matched.

Or you can volunteer to a cause that is close to your soul. Because that really is what Mark Henry would do.