Sometimes the most meaningful history turns up in the most unexpected places. Melissa Leilani of Crestview, Florida was browsing suits at a Goodwill bins center when she reached into a jacket pocket and pulled out something extraordinary: a handwritten eulogy — and two copies of an obituary — for Richard Stephan Henik.

She couldn’t bring herself to throw them away. She tried reaching the family through Facebook messages found via an online obituary, but as she told us, messages from non-friends often stay hidden and unanswered. So she reached out to the Sayville Alumni Association instead: “Hello would you happen to know how i could get ahold of the family of Richard Stephan Henik? I found his obituary and a Eulogy written by one of his nephews in a suit at goodwill… Not sure if the family would want this or not. Thank you.”

What the papers tell us: Richard Stephan Henik, Sayville High School Class of 1953, was born December 13, 1934 in Jamaica, New York, and died December 10, 2015 in St. Augustine, Florida, at age 80. His funeral service was held December 18, 2015 at the St. Johns Family Funeral Home, with interment at San Lorenzo Cemetery. The handwritten eulogy, written by one of his nephews, paints the picture of a kind soul with a servant’s heart: a man who served his church faithfully, cared for his parents, and dedicated years to the Bohemia community as a volunteer firefighter, rising to Company 2 Captain.

Melissa photographed the pages for us. The eulogy appears to be missing its opening page — what survives begins mid-memory — but the nephew’s words are worth reading in full. Here is our transcription (crossed-out draft words omitted):

(Zack — Read scripture)

Uncle Richie, your life with us will always be remembered. You have been a kind soul with a servant’s heart, and will be remembered for the different things you were to one and all.

To the church and to God, you served faithfully.

To your sister and brother, you were loving and always supportive.

To your father and mother, you cared for them, and took care of your mother in times of need.

To the Bohemia community, you dedicated years of service as a volunteer firefighter, to become Company 2 Captain. You were a valuable asset to them.

…a man who didn’t like to throw things out. So if we needed a pen or pencils for school, you always had a ziplock bag of slightly used but still good pencils for us to have.

You touched our hearts with your stories, and impacted many lives in your 80 years here on this earth. We will miss seeing your jovial Christmas attire and the way you proudly said the blessing at each meal.

I am proud to call you uncle. We wish you farewell as you join other family members and friends. May the gates of heaven open wide as the angels welcome you with open arms.

Do you know the Henik family? Were you at that December 2015 service, or did you serve alongside Richie in Bohemia? If you can help these precious papers find their way home — or if you have more to add to Richard’s story — please reach out to the Association. Melissa saved them from being lost forever; let’s help finish the job