Richard William Hennessy

Richard W. Hennessy, 82, of Ventura, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, following a prolonged illness. Rich was born on February 13, 1932 in Newton, Massachusetts to William and Helen (Doiront) Hennessy. He grew up in Cambridge, MA where as a teenager he developed a lifelong love of sports. Rich enjoyed playing baseball, football and he was a stand out in track and field.

After high school, Rich proudly served in the United States Army, during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the service, Rich went to work for the Polaroid Corporation. He worked for Polaroid for 25 years, working his way up to management in the manufacturing department.

In 1957, he married the love of his life, Eleanore Sugrue. They spent their early years together in Cambridge, MA, eventually moving to Burlington, MA where they settled and raised three daughters in a close-knit community filled with family, friends, much love and laughter. Rich was a devoted and loving husband to Eleanore, his wife of 57 years, whom he always referred to as “the most beautiful girl in the world.”

Although Rich and Eleanore recently moved to Ventura, CA to live with family, he remained “Boston Strong” to the end, ever the dedicated member of Red Sox Nation and a die-hard New England Patriots and Boston Bruins fan. He also loved working in the yard, could fix anything and was very proud of his Irish heritage.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bob and Paul Hennessy; and sister, Helen Rogers. He is survived by his wife, Eleanore; daughters, Diane (Stephen) Frantela of Ventura, CA, Donna Johnson of Ventura, CA and Paula Sable of Santee, CA; grandchildren, Nichole and Matthew Austin, Casey Johnson, Alex (Racheal) Frantela and Andrew Frantela; brothers, Ted (Gerry), Bill and Jack Hennessy; and sister, Pat Hennessy.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Our Lady of the Assumption, 3175 Telegraph Road, Ventura on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 10:00am. A reception will follow in the Parish Center. Burial will take place at Riverside National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 1:00pm.

The family would like to thank the Livingston Memorial Hospice Team for the loving and tender care of our husband, father and grandfather. We will always be grateful to Janet, Carrie, Michelle, Jaque and Dr. Dial.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.

May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.