Henry Shields Day, an 89-yr resident of Hingham, died peacefully on February 27, 2025, at age 96. Born in Salem, MA on Aug. 11, 1928, he was the son of the late Warner Bernham Day and Harriet (Hart) Shields Day. He was the brother of the late Julie D. Guild and the late Warner B. Day, Jr.
Henry, also known as Shields, moved to Hingham at age 8, where he initially attended Derby Academy in its historic downtown building (now the Hingham Historical Society). He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1947 and Yale University in 1951 with a BA in Economics.
During the Korean War he honorably served with the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps in Aberdeen, MD, where he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant.
Following his army years, Henry worked at Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Co. for 13 years as a security analyst and investment officer. He became a Certified Financial Analyst in 1966 and was a member of the Boston Security Analyst Society. He moved to Liberty Mutual Insurance Co, before moving to Keystone Investment Co. until his retirement in 1993. During those years he was a Director of Associated Day Care Services, served on the Board of Directors at St. John’s Nursery School (where both his children attended), and was a member of the Hingham Yacht Club for 85 years. He married his beloved wife of 59 years Lucinda (Cinda) Paddock of Larchmont, NY, in 1966.
After his retirement he embraced his many interests and hobbies with enthusiasm. He worked with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) for 8 years offering mentorship and guidance to aspiring business owners. With his continuing interest in Yale, he served as Class Agent and interviewer for prospective students in the area. Henry enjoyed the camaraderie and bi-weekly competition with the Hingham “Souper Bowlers” at the S. S. Country Club, where his quick wit and good sense of humor was always appreciated, especially during the annual Awards Banquet.
With a deep love for Hingham and its history, Henry joined the Hingham Historical Society and became President in 2004. He and his wife Cinda also enjoyed being creative members of the committee planning the celebrations of the 375th anniversary of the town’s founding.
Henry and Cinda lived for 58 years with great joy in their home on historic Cushing Pond. His love and devotion to this beautiful spot inspired him to cofound the Cushing Pond Preservation Group, where he served as President in 2004, and which continues to sustain the weed-free waterway.
Henry’s other interests included genealogy (he was often contacted by people across the country about mutual ancestors) and woodworking. His interest in woodworking came from generations of Day family craftsmen. He spent many happy hours making furniture, a tree house, a dock and rafts for the pond as well as improvements to his own home and to those of his children. He did volunteer carpentry projects both at St. John’s Nursery School and at Hingham Cemetery.
He leaves his wife Lucinda (Cinda) Day, his son H. Shields Day, Jr. and his wife Vanessa of Cohasset, his daughter Lucinda Vanderweil and her husband Alex of Cohasset, and 5 grandchildren (Lindley and Reeve Day, and Louisa, Warner, and Evelyn Vanderweil).
A celebration of Henry’s life will be held on April 6th in Hingham. Please RSVP to dayfamilyhingham@gmail.com by April 1 for details. Donations in his memory may be made to Derby Academy, where his family had deep roots, or to the Hingham Historical Society.
For more information and online guestbook go to www.downingchapel.com
