Obituary of Father John A. Hennessy S.S.J.

Father John Joseph Hennessy, S.S.J., a member of the Jesuit order of priests, followed his final calling to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
  Father John was born on November 28, 1934, in Sherrill, N.Y., to Joseph Hennessy and Ardella (Schaller)
  Hennessy, the 4th of 8 children.  He graduated from Sherrill High School and shortly thereafter enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War from 1955 – 1957.  After his time in the Army John answered a call to enter the Novitiate of the Society of Jesus in Oshkosh, WI.  He went on to 14 years of education in Theology, Philosophy and Sociology at St. Louis University and Marquette University, among other schools.  He was the first candidate from Sherrill, N.Y., to be ordained a Catholic priest.  His ordination took place in 1969 in South Dakota by the Bishop of Rapid City.
  Father John’s ministry encompassed many years serving diverse populations.  For 10 years he served as teacher and Pastor for the Sioux Indians at the Holy Rosary Indian Mission in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.  Father John then attended a Trappist Monastery, The Abbey of the Genesee, in Piffard, N.Y., for three years and then returned to service with the Jesuits in 1981.  Father then completed a Clinical Pastoral Program (CPE) for Hospital Chaplin.  From 2005 – 2008 Fr. John was assigned as the Chaplin for the Carmelite nuns in Traverse City, Michigan.  Father John retired from public ministry in 2008 and became a member of the St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, WI.  He continued to perform administrative duties and say frequent masses at the community until his health declined.
  Father John is survived by one sister, Ann (Richard) Hurteau, of North Bangor, N.Y.; one sister-in-law, Joan Hennessy of Galloway, Ohio; several cousins and many nieces, nephews and friends.  Father John was pre-deceased by two sisters; Mary Hennessy and Esther Fuess, and four brothers; David, James, Phillip and Paul.    Along with his devout faith, Father will be remembered by his typewritten letters often sent to family and friends and the individual blessing he bestowed upon others when parting ways. He was also a avid sports fan and especially the Pittsburg Steelers.
  In keeping with the Jesuit tradition Father John will be laid to rest with his fellow Jesuits in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. The extended Hennessy family invites you to attend a Memorial Mass on Saturday May 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Spirit of Hope St. Helena’s Church 204 Primo Ave. Sherrill, NY with Fr. James Buttner officiating.  Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com