Rev. Joseph V. Hennessey, O.S.A. (1907-1977)
Rev. Joseph V. Hennessey, O.S.A. entered eternal life on October 3, 1977.
Joseph Vincent Hennessey was born on February 6, 1907 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania to William V. and Elizabeth (O'Connor) Hennessey. He was baptized on February 24, 1907 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Pottstown. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on November 5, 1916 at the same church.
After graduation from Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, Joseph was received into the Augustinian Novitiate pm August 15, 1926. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine on August 16, 1927 and solemn (permanent) vows on August 16, 1930.
He earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1931. Joseph pursued theological studies from 1931 to 1935 at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest on June 12, 1934. He did additional studies at Catholic University of America, Washington.
Father Hennessey was assigned in 1935 to St. Augustine High School, San Diego, California, as a teacher. In 1942, he was affiliated to the new Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) and was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, as a teacher of Wood Shop.
When Mendel Catholic High School opened in 1951 on the campus of the former Pullman Free School of Manual Training, Chicago, Father Hennessey was transferred there. He taught Wood Shop and Mathematics. Because of declining health, he retired in 1973 to St. Monica Monastery, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
In September of 1977, Father Hennessey became ill. His condition seemed to improve and he traveled to Pottstown at the end of that month to visit his family. Shortly after arriving there, he again became ill. Father Hennessey died on October 3, 1977 in Pottstown of an aortic aneurysm.
He was originally buried at St. Mary's Hall Cemetery, Villanova. When that cemetery was relocated in 1980 to the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Father Hennessey’s body was moved there.
Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.
