The municipality expressed “deep sorrow over the passing of Júlio da Piedade Nunes Henriques” in a Facebook post.
He served as the president of the Castanheira de Pera Municipal Council from 1976 to 1989 and as the president of the Municipal Assembly from 1999 to 2001, stated the post.
The northern Leiria district local authority offered “the deepest condolences to Júlio Henriques’ family during this moment of great sadness and mourning,” declaring three days of municipal mourning in his memory.
The Leiria District Federation of the Socialist Party highlighted that Júlio Henriques was a “unique figure in the construction of local democracy,” being the “first president of the Castanheira de Pera Municipal Council after the April 25th Revolution,” a role he fulfilled with dedication and courage until 1989.
His political and civic journey profoundly impacted the council, the district, and the country, leaving a legacy of integrity, humanism, and public service, the Federation noted in a Facebook post.
The Federation also emphasized that throughout his life, Júlio Henriques assumed numerous significant responsibilities with a spirit of mission, firmness of convictions, and unwavering dedication to the common good.
His contributions were widely recognized, being remembered as an example of commitment to democratic values, solidarity, and community progress, it stated.
According to the same post, Júlio Henriques was a “man of consensus, yet firm in his principles” and “honored the Socialist Party with his career, making politics a true mission of serving others.”
The Federation called to “properly honor him by continuing to work with the same values he always defended, keeping alive his example of community service and collective well-being,” offering “heartfelt condolences to his family, comrades, friends, and all who knew him.”
According to the Castanheira de Pera Municipality’s website, Júlio Henriques was born in Vila Facaia in the neighboring municipality of Pedrógão Grande and moved to Castanheira de Pera after completing primary education, where he had relatives.
He worked in hospitality, was a merchant, teacher, co-founder of Externato de S. Domingos, and banker.
Beyond municipal roles, Júlio Henriques served as a Member of Parliament (1990-1999), civil governor of Leiria (1995-1996), and president of the National Fire Service (1997-1999).
A local, district, and national leader of the Socialist Party, Júlio Henriques was an administrator at a municipal company in Sintra, delegate administrator of the Antero de Quental Foundation, and founder and president of the general assembly of Cercicaper, an institution in Castanheira de Pera supporting people with disabilities or in social vulnerability, according to the council.
