Henry “Hank” Feuerzeig, a former judge, respected attorney, and longtime pillar of the Virgin Islands community, died Monday, July 14, at age 86. He had recently relocated to Georgia with his wife, Penny, to be closer to family, but in the territory he called home for more than five decades, his legacy endures.

Born and raised in Chicago’s public housing, Feuerzeig carried from an early age a determination that would shape both his career and his relationships. “He saw the possibilities in life and went after them,” said his longtime friend and law partner, George Dudley. That drive led him to Washington, D.C., where he met his wife Penny, then a newspaper reporter, while he worked as a congressional aide and attended law school at night. After earning his degree, he began his legal career at a firm in Washington before moving to the Virgin Islands. There, he spent two years at the Office of the Virgin Islands Attorney General and another two years in private practice, quickly establishing himself as a trusted figure in the legal community. In 1976, he was elected president of the Virgin Islands Bar Association, capping the early phase of a career marked by public service.

His commitment to the community deepened with his appointment by Gov. Cyril E. King to the bench of what was then the Territorial Court, where he served as a judge for 10 years. After stepping down from the judiciary to focus on his growing family and private practice, Feuerzeig’s reputation as a fair and thoughtful jurist made him one of the most sought-after legal professionals in the territory. “That’s when the — what I call — the Hank Feuerzeig Sweepstakes began; there were lots of lawyers and law firms that wanted him to join them,” Dudley said. Ultimately, Feuerzeig chose friendship over competition, partnering with Dudley to help build the law firm known today as Dudley, Newman, Feuerzeig LLP.

At the same time, his dedication to civic service remained steadfast. He was a charter member of Rotary Club of St. Thomas II — one of just 18 founders of the club — and contributed to its expansion and community service projects over the years. As a founding director of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, Feuerzeig, along with his wife, established the Penny and Hank Feuerzeig Family Fund, supporting initiatives from scholarships to hurricane relief efforts across the territory.

His deep ties to the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas were equally enduring. Feuerzeig and Penny were fixtures at Friday services, often seated in their favorite spot under the fan. “We counted on him for his advice, his counsel, and his sensitivity to the island’s community,” said Congregation President Marilyn Blackhall. “He was strong-willed, determined, and committed to doing what’s right,” added Congregation Treasurer Louis Minion, who met Feuerzeig after moving to the territory in 2013. Those who knew him best say his commitment to faith and community was simply who he was.

Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, who knew Feuerzeig for more than 40 years, remembered him as much for his kindness as for his professional contributions. “Though Feuerzeig is perhaps best known by many for his service as a judge of the Territorial Court of the Virgin Islands, his community contributions are equally noteworthy,” Roach said in a statement. “Highly regarded for his legal acumen, Feuerzeig will be remembered as well for his charitable giving and for his kind and caring ways.” Reflecting on their long-standing friendship, Roach added, “I am privileged to have known him as a friend, colleague, and mentor over a span of more than 40 years. I extend deepest condolences to his wife Penny, with whom I worked at the Virgin Islands Daily News, and to his daughter Darcy, who I practically watched grow up. I know that this loss is particularly difficult as it follows the recent passing of Paul, their beloved son.”

Indeed, amid all of his professional and civic achievements, family was central to Feuerzeig’s life. He and Penny were married for 58 years and raised two children, Darcy and Paul. The death of their son Paul to cancer in 2022 was a loss deeply felt in their lives.

Outside of work and community service, Feuerzeig never let go of his Chicago roots. He remained a loyal Cubs and Bears fan, often ribbing Yankees fan Dudley over their sports rivalries. “He was a Chicago boy through and through,” Dudley said with a smile. “One of the things we loved about each other was that we hated each other’s teams.”

Yet, despite that Midwestern pride, friends say Feuerzeig’s greatest devotion was to the Virgin Islands. “I could not think of anyone who loved the Virgin Islands as much as Feuerzeig,” Dudley said softly, noting that it was only health concerns that prompted his friend to leave.

Funeral services for Feuerzeig will be held Monday, July 21, at 10 a.m. at the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, 2116 Crystal Gade, with interment to follow at Altona Cemetery. Due to limited parking near the synagogue, attendees are asked to park at Lockhart Gardens near Little Kmart, where shuttle service will be provided beginning at 9:15 a.m. Staff in coral-colored shirts will assist with transportation. For more information, contact at 340-998-7905.

. As the community prepares to gather and honor Feuerzeig’s life, many will remember not just the judge, attorney, and community leader, but the friend, mentor, and father who showed up when it mattered, who fought for what was right, and who never stopped loving the place he called home