03/12/2026
Oh my . . . . it's been 12 years
Remembering The Rev. Henry Buzzard (June 7, 1923 - March 12, 2014) on the 10th anniversary of his passage into the greater life.
Fr. Buzzard was a personal friend, a mentor, a Deaf and Deafblind role model, author and historian, and beloved Vicar of St. Ann's Church for the Deaf.
Henry L. Buzzard, age 90, died on March 12, 2014 following a brief illness. He was born in Normal, IL, on June 7, 1923, the second of four sons to the late Dr. Robert Guy and Irene (Couchman) Buzzard. He was diagnosed as being Deaf at the age of 2. He was educated at the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, MO.
He attended the Teacher's College High School, in his hometown of Charleston, IL and graduated with his hearing classmates in 1942.He attended Wabash College, in Crawfordsville, IN and graduated in 1946 with a BS Degree in Chemistry. He enrolled Eastern Illinois University, where his father was President, earning a MA Degree in Geography in 1948.
Henry moved east to Washington, DC and worked at Gallaudet University, the only University for the Deaf. It was there that he learned American Sign Language. Henry met, the late Juliet Barnett Buzzard at Gallaudet. Juliet, married Henry on June 9th, 1956. Henry used his Geography degree to land a better paying job with the Army Map Service and to support his growing family: son Richard and daughter Irene.
Henry accepted a job as Librarian at the New York School for the Deaf (NYSD) in White Plains, NY. He spent the next 25 years working at NYSD. He was a well-respected and beloved educator. He earned another MA degree (Library Science) from Clark University, Worchester, MA in 1970. Henry retired in 1984. He continued working part-time setting up the school's archives and being its unofficial historian.
Henry and Judy became members of the St. Ann's Church for the Deaf, the first Episcopal Church for the Deaf. He became a Deacon of the Church and undertook a tutoring program to be an Episcopal Priest. He was ordained in 1997. Henry ministered to the flock of St. Ann's until health issues forced another retirement in 2004.
Henry and Judy celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2006. Judy died later that year. Their daughter, Irene B. Drennan, died, in 2009, from Breast Cancer. He is survived by his son Richard (Maura) of White Plains, three Grandchildren: Bradley Drennan of Valparaiso, IN, Eileen and John Buzzard of White Plains. Henry was predeceased by two of his brothers; John and Robert. He is survived by the youngest brother, Charles (Joan) Buzzard of Austin, TX and a brother-in-law; Dr. Robert (Carolyn) Barnett of Rockville, MD.
Service photos: Fr. Buzzard's funeral service
