Thomas Patrick Henican

An enthusiastic New Orleanian and a natural raconteur, Tom loved telling funny stories, watching live music, seeking new adventures with his family and looking after his diverse collection of friends. He leaves his wife of 34 years, Tracey Beeson Henican, a teacher at St. Martin’s Episcopal School, and three children: daughter Kelley Henican, an accounting student in San Jose, California; daughter Lainey Henican, a doctoral student at Florida’s Nova University, and son James Henican, who is entering his sophomore year at Baylor University in Texas.

As a partner with the law firm Reiss LeMieux, Tom handled a wide array of civil disputes in employment, construction, insurance, toxic torts and other areas. He enjoyed strategizing with his partners and liked nothing more than standing up for his clients in state or federal court. When he didn’t show up for a hearing on Friday morning, his colleagues knew immediately that something was terribly wrong. Tom would never voluntarily miss a chance to make his case in front of a judge.

Tom grew up in a large uptown New Orleans family, the fourth of Ellis and Patricia Henican’s five children. He attended Holy Name of Jesus School, Christian Brothers School and De La Salle High School. He earned his bachelor’s and law degrees at Loyola University New Orleans. He also studied at Texas A&M University and University of California, San Diego. But it was as an energetic and fun-loving dad that Tom shined the most. Traveling with his wife to root for James and his Jesuit High School tennis teammates. Touring the California wine country with Kelley. Scoring sold-out Britney Spears tickets for Lainey and her friends.

He was deeply engaged in the lives of his five nieces and four nephews and also many of his children’s friends, who treasured his cheerful, up-for-anything attitude. Whether he was coaching cabbage ball, staffing a booth at the St. Ann Family Fest or driving everyone to Orange Beach, Alabama, Tom did it all with wry insights and a why-not shrug.

Though his parents predeceased him, he is survived by his siblings Ellis Henican (Stephanie) of New York City, William Henican of New Orleans, Mary Henican Spangler (John) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Michael Henican of New Orleans. His aunts and uncles are Alice and the late Claude Perrier, Gordon and Peggy Wilson, Dr. Charles and the late Dorothy Heidingsfelder and Joseph and Margaret Henican, all of New Orleans. He is also survived by his brother-in-law James Beeson Jr. and sister-in-law Temple Beeson (Lou). His parents-in-law, James and Carolyn Beeson, predeceased him.

Friends and family will gather for a funeral on Friday at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m.