South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry (2nd from Left) stands with his proud family after delivering the State of the City Address in 2015. Pictured above (L to R) is his wife, Linda, his mother, Ann and brother, Bill. *File Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

I remember Fred Henry running for Mayor of South Amboy for the first time in 2010. At the time, the Amboy Beacon was still in publication and there were many letters to the editor in support or attacking the candidates running for office.

Mayor Fred Henry stands above his mother, Ann at the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Ann was “Irishwoman of the Year” and Fred Henry was “Irishman of the Year.”
*File Photo by Ray Kawka

There was one particular person who kept writing attack letters against Fred Henry. There was a letter signed by Ann Henry who fiercely defended her son against his attacker. Bill George, who owned the paper called up Mrs. Henry to make sure she wrote that letter. She said she indeed wrote that letter. A few days later, Bill and I were attending a South Amboy Council Meeting and she smiled at Bill and thanked him for calling her and publishing that letter.

I was introduced to her and she gave me a warm, friendly smile. From that day on, she never forgot me and she would always greet me. I would say, “You remember me?”

She would reply, “Of course, I do.”

The last South Amboy State of the City Address that the Amboy Guardian attended was in 2016. The story was on the front cover with additional stories and photos inside. I happened to run into Mrs. Henry a week after that paper came out. She said she hadn’t seen that copy and people were commenting on how nice she looked in the photos and the nice write-up. She asked me if I could please get her a couple of copies, she’d appreciate it. I was happy to accommodate her. She also told me that her son, Bill took after her as a fierce fighter. When I happened to see her son, Bill a few weeks later, I repeated what his mother said. He kind of shook his head, “yes” and had a big smile in agreement.

When I read in the obituary Ann was donating her body to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, it was not surprising. She helped so many people while she was alive and by doing this, she’ll continue to help others.

Our condolences to her immediate and extended family, friends, and the community. I’m officially giving Ann the title of “The Permanent Honorary Mayor of South Amboy,” and a proclamation should be passed stating this. C.M.