Arthur 'Arty' Henshaw
14 June 1942 – 29 May 2026
A devoted husband, father, and lifelong Aston Villa supporter
Their life
Arthur — known to everyone as Arty — was born and raised in Aston, where he lived for all of his 83 years. He left school at 15 to begin an apprenticeship at the Hercules Cycle works in Witton, and went on to spend more than four decades as a skilled toolmaker, retiring in 2007.
Arty met his beloved wife Margaret at the Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston in 1964, and they were married for 58 happy years until her passing in 2022. Together they raised three children — Susan, David, and Christopher — and were blessed with seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of whom adored him.
A passionate Villa fan, Arty held a season ticket in the Holte End for over fifty years, and only missed a handful of home games in all that time. He was equally devoted to his allotment on Trinity Road, his Sunday morning pint at The Bartons Arms, and his beautiful tenor voice in the choir at St. Peter and St. Paul's.
He will be remembered for his quiet kindness, his terrible jokes, his unwavering loyalty to family and friends, and his extraordinary capacity to make everyone he met feel welcome. The world is a poorer place without him.
In lieu of flowers
Donations gratefully received for British Heart Foundation.
Make a donationLight a candle
A small light of remembrance for Arthur 'Arty' Henshaw.
5 candles
lit in loving memory
Recently remembered by
- Holte End Season Ticket Holders8 June 2026
- Tom and Sheila Whitehouse6 June 2026
- Choir of St. Peter and St. Paul's4 June 2026
- The Bartons Arms regulars2 June 2026
- Margaret's sister, Pauline31 May 2026
Messages & memories
Thank you to everyone who has shared their memories of Dad. We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of friends, neighbours, and people we've never even met. He would have been so touched. The family is forever grateful — and to Whitfield & Sons for looking after him with such care.
Worked alongside Arty at Hercules for nearly thirty years. A finer craftsman and a kinder man you could not hope to meet. He'd give you the shirt off his back and then apologise it wasn't a better one. Deepest sympathies to Susan, David, Chris and all the family.
Arty was a quiet pillar of our parish for more than fifty years. His voice in the choir, his hand on the collection plate, his presence at every funeral and christening — always there, always humble. He will be deeply missed. Our prayers are with the family.
Arty kept the best rhubarb on Trinity Road, and he'd always send you home with a bag of it whether you wanted any or not. The committee voted last night to name the new shed after him. Rest well, my friend.
Grandad — thank you for the terrible jokes, the pocket money sneaked into our hands when Mum wasn't looking, and for showing us all what it means to be a proper grown-up. We love you. xxx
