There are some things that make a community special. Whether he was spotted making his way along Main Street’s sidewalks with a smile for everyone, enjoying Branford events on the green, or cheering at a Hornets game at the high school, Henry Bromley was one of them. On Dec. 15, as news spread that the man so many folks knew simply as ‘Henry’ had passed, community members who had shared some special time with him contacted Zip06/The Sound to share some remembrances.

Bill O’Brien, Branford’s stellar community photographer and multi-tasking volunteer among many Branford committees and organizations, said he feels privileged to have had the chance to get to know Bromley through the years.

“Whenever I was on the green, Henry would come right over to say hello,” said O’Brien. “Sometimes, he’d swing his [walker] around and sit down, and we’d have a great talk. He was just a very friendly fellow. So many people have seen him in town through the years. I think he made everyone smile.”

O’Brien said Bromley also loved to share his signature sing-song chant in support of Branford sports teams; and that among those teams, he became a kind of special mascot for the Branford High School baseball team.

Chad Lyons became a very close friend soon after Bromley moved to Branford, about 22 years ago.

“He was very shy, so I introduced him to some of my friends. It turned out that Henry became very popular in Branford, in particular downtown and at the high school. You probably know he’s Branford’s Number 1 Fan. He earned it,” said Lyons.

Lyons has archived many of the photos he’s taken of Bromley through the years. About 10 years ago, at the suggestion of some friends, Lyons started a Facebook page on behalf of Bromley to share some of the photos.

“I did that thinking it would build a bridge to hundreds of Henry’s friends,” Lyons said. “In a few months, he had hundreds of Facebook friends.”

Unfortunately, Lyons said, the Facebook team eventually took the page down; adding, “...by then, I heard some high schoolers printed out his page and taped it inside their lockers.”

Lyons said his past photos on Facebook had indicated Bromley was a Red Sox fan; while more recent photos seem to indicate Bromley had become a Yankees fan. He quipped there’s another Branford connection to Bromley that likely had a hand in that.

“I blame the wait staff at The Breakfast Connections for converting Henry,” said Lyons.

In recent years, Lyons would stop by Bromley’s Rose Street apartment to check in on his friend.

“I chatted him up about Branford baseball, and supplied cassettes and batteries for his ‘Walkman.’ Henry lived a simple life that was greatly enhanced by a welcoming and nurturing Branford community,” said Lyons. “He no doubt created more awareness and sensitivity for persons with intellectual disability. He will be missed by many.”

Lyons noted Bromley had received assistance with services through the years from Marrakech, Inc., a disabilities and support organization based in Woodbridge.