Stephen Patrick Hennessey

Ahem…Stephen Patrick Hennessey (Steve), husband of Eleanor Frances Hennessey and longtime teacher, would for one last time like to draw your attention to the front of the classroom. Steve passed away on October 13, 2024, after a brief illness; an enthusiastic raconteur, he knew that once he was no longer able to sit down for a long chat, it was time for him to move on.

Steve was born in Yonkers, NY, on September 19, 1936, the youngest of 8 children of the late Stephen Hennessey (yes, they are all named that, no points for guessing his oldest son’s name) and Mary (Sullivan) Hennessey. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University which he loved deeply, despite having chosen to major in physics in which he had little interest, and collected graduate degrees like some people collect stamps, including a Master’s in African History from Duquesne University, another in Education from the University of Vermont, and a Certificate in Administration from the University of Hartford.

His peripatetic career path began with a stint in the U.S. Army where he was proud to have served in air missile defense in Cromwell and Ansonia, CT, including as Battery Commander of the Nike Missile Base in the latter. A man of peace, he was happy to have never utilized one in war, though he loved to tell his grandkids about shooting rockets in White Sands, NM.

After the Army, he spent two years working for IBM in DC, before opting for meaning over money and becoming the Director of the Catholic Relief Services program in Liberia, and eventually taking a job teaching with the SMA Fathers in Cape Palmas. While he returned to the U.S. to get his first masters, he was quickly hired by the Peace Corps to train teachers for French speaking West Africa, becoming the country desk officer for Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire. He has long maintained ties with friends from his time there and was never more excited when he had the chance to chat with someone in French or Wolof.

He left the Peace Corps in 1971 to become a teacher in East Montpelier, VT. It was there he met Eleanor, and after their marriage on November 24, 1973, had three children born within 16 months of each other. Deciding they wanted a new adventure and a quieter place to bring up their kids, in 1980 Steve and Eleanor moved to New Zealand, initially in Invercargill (the gateway to Antarctica, where school uniforms nevertheless require shorts all year round), and eventually Palmerston North. Steve loved his time as the Head of Geography at Verdon College in Invercargill and the Head of English at St Peter’s College in Palmerston North. In 1990 Steve and the family moved back to the U.S., where he worked for the Office of Catholic Schools in Hartford, then served as a teacher and administrator at public schools in Torrington, New Fairfield and Burlington, CT, before his “retirement” in 2005. This being Steve, his retirement involved moving to Apex, NC, to be close to his daughter Mary, and working as a substitute teacher in the Apex school system for another 12 years until he finally retired for real at the age of 81.

Steve was never more happy than when he was with people. He loved teaching, and the community of his students, some of whom he kept in touch with for over 50 years. He was a founding member of Rotary Clubs in Vermont and Invercargill, and in a time when politics drives people apart, he loved to tell people that he had been an elected Republican (Justice of the Peace in Worcester, VT) and Democrat (Justice of the Peace in Colchester, VT). He was an active member of many organizations in Apex, including the Apex Historical Society, the Lions Club and the American Legion. He was also a devout member of the St. Mary Magdalene Church in Apex, prior to the pandemic he and Eleanor would attend mass daily (followed of course by post mass pastries at Panera).

In addition to his wife Eleanor, Steve is survived by his sister, Mary Dutcher, of Bristol, CT; his daughter and son-in law, Mary and Michael Petersen of Apex, NC; his sons and daughters in law, Stephen (Patrick) Hennessey and Lisa Chandler of Oakland, CA, and Andrew and Allison Hennessey of Bristol, CT, and nine grandchildren, Caley and Riley Petersen, of Apex, NC; Conor, Finn, Aoife and Lachlan Hennessey of Oakland, CA; and Beckett, Rowan and Greta Hennessey of Bristol, CT. He was predeceased by his two brothers, John Hennessey and Edward Redican, and his sisters Bernice Hennessey, Joan Courchaine, Patricia Quinn, and Geraldine King.

Memorial donations may be made to the Society of African Missions, St Bonaventure University, or per his request, any charity that encourages kindness and inclusivity.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 11:00am, with Fr. Mike Coveyou presiding. To watch the service via livestream, use the 'join livestream' link in the services box below.

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