Fort Wayne Mayor Henry dies Thursday evening following cancer battle

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry died Thursday night following a battle with stomach cancer. Earlier in the day, his family announced the city leader was in hospice care after suffering a medical emergency on Wednesday.

In his stead, Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemer will lead the city. A caucus of precinct committee persons will choose a successor within 30 days.

In late February Henry, a Democrat, called a press conference informing the public that he had been diagnosed with Stage 3 stomach cancer and would soon start chemotherapy. He was in the first year of his fifth term as Fort Wayne mayor, a position he has held since 2008.

His wife, Cindy, died in January following complications with pancreatic cancer.

Top statewide officials shared their condolences with the Henry family following the news.

“For anyone involved in statewide public service, Mayor Tom Henry was synonymous with Fort Wayne. The love and support the city long showered upon him was surpassed only by his unwavering affection for it. No matter where you were from, Mayor Tom was the kind of positive leader who made you feel like moving there because of the long list of new things going on and he was smiling about it,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a statement. 

“I’ll treasure our conversations, sharing a stage, and his inspirational dignified demeanor. He was a Mayor’s mayor, but also a Governor’s Mayor. You could call him for anything, for advice or about a loved one, and I did. Janet and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his community of friends, coworkers and most importantly his blessed legendary family during such a difficult time. It’s been said, that for those who walk with the Lord, goodbyes are never forever. It’s my hope and prayer, that now that he has been reunited with his bride, Cindy, his soul can rest knowing his work here is done, and we shall all meet again for a laugh or two,” he concluded.

Two House Democrats representing Fort Wayne also praised the work accomplished by Henry.

“In losing Tom, Fort Wayne has truly lost an icon, but his legacy lives on. As we move forward, our community will honor the progress he made in Fort Wayne during his tenure. I want to personally extend my condolences to Tom’s family, and I look forward to celebrating his life and accomplishments as a community,” said Rep. Kyle Miller.

House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta called Henry “a giant in the history of our city,” crediting the city’s growth to his leadership.

“Tom’s love of Fort Wayne is what kept him going. Amid intense personal hardship – the loss of his beloved wife Cindy and his cancer diagnosis earlier this year – he kept working for our city as mayor because that’s the type of person he was,” GiaQuinta said. “I take solace in the fact that Tom will not be forgotten easily. You can see him all over Fort Wayne – in the flourishing small businesses, in kids playing in the parks and in the city skyline irrevocably shaped for the better by his vision and leadership.”