Eddie Henderson, 66, Marine veteran and city employee

EDDIE HENDERSON liked nothing better than to tool around the Philly streets in one of his big Cadillacs to check out the scene.

He would always be impeccably dressed, starting with his Stetson hat and descending to his well-matched outfits.

Caddies were among Eddie's hobbies, along with bicycle riding, operating remote control cars, or harkening to some old-time rhythm and blues. He was also an enthusiastic line dancer, dabbled in art and enjoyed getting together with lifelong pals.

Eddie died of heart failure Aug. 21. He was 66 and lived in North Philadelphia.

Eddie earned his leisure activities after 23 years in the Marine Corps, in which he was stationed in Korea and in the South Pacific. He attained the rank of gunnery sergeant.

After the Marines, he spent 25 years with the city Streets Department Sanitation Division as a supervisor.

He never forgot his roots in the Richard Allen Homes public housing project, and was an active member of the Original Richard Allen Homes Committee, which raised funds for scholarships, conducted food and clothing drives, and looked after the children of the neighborhood. He served as treasurer for a time.

Eddie was also a member of the Original Tenderlines Organization, a group of former gang members now devoted to mentoring young people and keeping them on the straight and narrow.

His son, Eddie B. Henderson, said his father enjoyed vacations to Cancun, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, as well as visiting Florida and family members in the South.

"He was a fun-loving guy," his son said, "always laughing and joking. He had charisma. He was the kind of person who could light up a room."

His son said his father was also a devoted reader of the Daily News and Inquirer.

Eddie married his childhood sweetheart, Karen Albert, in 1971. The marriage ended in divorce in 1983.

Eddie was born in Philadelphia to Sam Bennett and Lucy Mae Henderson. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School and entered the Marines.

Besides his son, he is survived by another son, Anthony Henderson; three daughters, LaVonda Hudson, Tyra Laws and Shera Beatty; four sisters, Portia Henderson-Chaney, Deane Henderson, Sheila Henderson and Janice Henderson; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services: Were Saturday.