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New: The Obituary is now up at http://www.collinsfuneralhome.com/hennessy-john-michael
Dear Friends & Family,
With deepest sadness and very heavy hearts, we are writing to tell of the devastating loss of John Michael Hennessy. John, Mike, Michael, big Michael, Hen Hen, Monk, or Toy Boy-- as many knew him, passed away on Wednesday April 22, 2015 leaving behind a long, long list of people whose lives he touched with his amazing kind heart, sense of humor, strong hands, and sweet soul. You could meet him and in 5 minutes be forever touched- he just had that way about him.
His greatest wish was for his final resting place to be at Arlington National Cemetery. His other wish was to have an Irish Wake rather than a traditional memorial service, or funeral. Arlington Cemetery’s time frame for internment is late June to late July. We are planning to have John’s Irish Wake coincide with the ceremony at Arlington. When we have the date we will post it here.
This is the Memorial website where we would love to have you write stories of remembrance and post photos which would help us and others see how much John touched all our lives. It will be a place to check updates on arrangements and ever changing with new stories. He was known for helping all of the people he knew and many people he did not know. We all know he had amazing skills in building or fixing anything, and was always the one to call on first. John had such a gentle soul and he always seemed to attract kids and animals (or critters as John called them) like a magnet. We have always been amazed at his patience in all we asked of him. As we all know John served in the military and had a deep love for the country and servicemen. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
We are moved by the outpouring of support and love for Michael and me, which we know is an extension of your love and friendship of John. There will never be another quite like John and our lives will never be the same. Thank you all for being here for us, your kindness will never be forgotten. Please know how much your posting of stories and remembrance of John will mean to us now and in the years ahead. We will cherish everything written. Even the smallest detail of what you share about him will mean so much to us. To post here you have to register with an email address.. If you would rather not, please send your story and or pictures to email jhennessy49@gmail.com and we will post for you on this memorial page.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made payable to VFW post 2562 - Address is 11316 Fern Street Wheaton MD. 20902 RE: Hennessy Fund, to help us cope with funeral and education expenses.
Love and thanks,
Teri and Michael Hennessy
Tributes
Leave a tributeYou're never far from my thoughts Michael. And you WILL be forever missed...
Love ya man
Andy
Love ya man,
Andy
Strange to write a letter like this. Do you see it? I'd like to think so. 8 years, I'm now the same age as you when you passed. I do think of you everyday. I want to let you know that your son has turned into a fine grown man. Your wife still loves you very much. Your sister and I miss you terribly. And speaking of brothers, I want you to know that your brothers, your gang from back in 6th grade, the guys who tormented me along with you when I was a wee lad, they also still miss you and bring you up all the time. This tells me that to have such great friends and a true love for a wife and a handsome good son, Mike, you were the ultimate success and I still look up to you.
I know this day must be hard for you both. Mike was the first guy I met in 8th grade when we moved to Forest Glen. A warm and gracious friend who I enjoyed many travel adventures with. The Europe and Florida trip were lots of fun. He is missed by all of his old buddies that go back into the 1960's. I hope you both find some peace in knowing how well he was loved by us all.
I think of you quite often, and your family as well. Frances, Sharon, Tommy. We go way back. Your sister Frances will be 76 in a day or so. We all met in 1959. I remember your Mom drove a beige 1957 Ford station wagon and your Dad drove a little black Carmen Ghia. Oh yes, I remember it well. Your Mom always called you 'Michael'. You and I were so tight back in those days, best of friends. We've got so many wonderful stories we could share. Thank you Mike, thank you for all the good times we shared growing up together. You were such a great friend and certainly a part of who I am today. I miss you my friend, I truly do. I'm holding back the tears.
Happy Birthday Frances. I hope you and Tommy would both feel free to email me and share some old times. I have a great memory. I might share some things that you may not remember. Your brother Mike, your family, Forest Glen.
Please feel free to email me. I would love to hear from you both. Hope you're doing well. debjimluvmaz@yahoo.com
Andy
Very often John comes to mind, a quiet man, friendly, intelligent, with a good taste for things in life. Always great memories and great times at work or out for fun, a wonderful friend with a passion to get the best out of every moment, the perfect man to do business with and carry on with long and interesting conversations, a man with integrity and dedication to his family, Michael was in his mind all the time.
A great close friend that with much respect will always be remembered as a wonderful person.
Roberto Rodriguez
Missing you as always, my friend,
Andy
Still miss you neighbor.
Sweat and I were talking about you today, remembering the little things. Like how I think of you every day when I get your old sauce pan out. Barbara and I use it to this day. Truth be told, I don't usually get it out, but I do always clean it... lol. Love ya lots man... as always
He was also a wonderful husband to Teri and we miss him.
Just wanted to drop ya a note saying how sorry i am of your loss,for some reason I stumbled over Johns tribute tonight ,hope all is well with you and Micheal,if anything I can do for ya give me a holler !!!
sincerely,Tracy
240-876-2439
Love ya honey and miss you everyday
Sorry you had to leave so soon. My best friend always says "What did you do with your dash". 1949 (dash) 2015. You had a positive affect on those you came in contact with and enjoyed yours to the fullest. Thanks for the memories. R.I.P.
Bob Cissel
You and I had some good times growing up together. I could write a book. You were a great friend and I think of you quite often. Thanks for the memories.
Leave a Tribute
You're never far from my thoughts Michael. And you WILL be forever missed...
Love ya man
Andy
Please be patient.
"Always wear gloves when you ride"
Always wear gloves, if you ride and it happens, your skin on your hands just roll back.
Just about every time I get on my bike and pit my gloves on. Always remember his great advise and the friendly smile on him.
I always wear my gloves and yes, deer skin gloves to protect mine.
John, a great person, a great friend, someone you could spend quality times with and always have a progressive and productive conversation.
John loved his wife Terry and he was fascinated by watching little Michael grow up and to share his very own good experiences in life with him, little Michael was his shadow.
You are always in our minds John!
It's hard to imagine that it's been a year. I met mike in October of 1963. He was the best man at my wedding . We traveled to Europe together. Great trip to Florida too. We went to cape Hatteras back in the late 1970's. He was a great friend who would do anything to help our someone in need. We would talk 5 or 6 times a year. Catch up on our kids. Wow, Michaels graduation is this year. Same as my grandson. Yes was a good man, devoted husband and father. He was taken way to soon.
John was what you see is what you get and Sean, Devin and I loved him. Although we spent more time with him years ago when the kids were smaller, he was always thought of as part of our "Damascus" family and it was devastating to hear of his passing. John was a "one of" easy to talk to, amazing with the kids and we have years of fond memories of the annual Halloween party and trick or treating at our house with the crew of boys at Damascus elementary school. Devin spent a lot of time with John and Michael and they were always into something, Sean and I remembered when Devin crashed John's go cart through his garage and John was the calmest of all insisting it was no big deal and wouldn't think of letting us help with paying for any of it. Sean and I rode motorcycles with John and Teri to the wall and visited Arlington cemetary and John's patriotism was admirable. He lived every minute like he had all the time in the world, so many hobbies interests and so much love for his friends and family. There aren't a lot of true blue people out there anymore but John was and I know whether in touch or not, if we ever needed him he would be there. A light went out with John's passing but he lives on in his son and someday I know we will all meet again....