A FORMER York headmaster and one-time leader of the local teachers' union has died, aged 94.

Norman Henderson was born in Bridge Street on November 2, 1908, and lived in the city for his entire life.

His grandfather, William, was a tollmaster at Skeldergate and Lendal Bridges. He used his earnings to build a house in Cromwell Road and this became Mr Henderson's childhood home.

His father, also called William, was a hairdresser and was made a freeman of the city, an honour which passed to his son.

Mr Henderson began his teaching career in 1931 following a degree in mathematics at the University of Leeds.

He became head teacher of Scarcroft School in 1939 before taking over the headship at Fishergate School in 1952.

In 1954, he was appointed head of the new Danesmead Secondary School, where he remained until his retirement in Easter 1970.

Mr Henderson was at one time president of the local branch of the National Union of Teachers and the Association of Headteachers.

He was also involved with the York Schools' Athletics Association and was a founder member of York Probus.

Mr Henderson was married to Myra, for more than 50 years, and the couple have one daughter, Carol Pope, 58, and one grand daughter, Emma, 26. He nursed Myra through ill health for a number of years at their Clifton home until her death in 1988.

His funeral took place at York Minster, where he was a former steward, this morning.

Updated: 10:56 Friday, September 12, 2003