Joseph R.

Hennessy

HENNESSY, Joseph Robert Sr., 79, of Cliffside Park , died at 3:44pm on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 in Hackensack Hospital.

Joe was born in Hoboken, New Jersey on May 24, 1938. He graduated from Demarest High School. An outstanding athlete from early childhood, Joe went on to sign a professional contract with the Chicago White Sox in his senior year of high school. Even after his baseball career ended, Joe's love of the game continued. He would literally travel anywhere to see his son, nieces and nephews and grandchildren compete. He delighted in watching and supporting all the activities of his many grandchildren

In 1960, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Anne Scala Hennessy of Cliffside Park. They had five children and were married for 57-years. Joe established Bethco Realty, and went on to incorporate a residential appraisal division into the successful business in Cliffside Park.

A star athlete, Joe was inducted into the Hoboken Hall of Fame in 1999 – an honor he cherished. Joe loved his children and grandchildren, and delighted in attending all of their school and sports events. Joe's quick wit and clever sense of humor brightened every family gathering.

Joe is predeceased by his first daughter, Elizabeth, and survived by his wife Anne Hennessy, his children Margaret Hennessy, Joseph R. Hennessy, Jr., Felicia Hennessy-Szmyhol, Brooke Noonan, his son-in-law Kevin Noonan, and his seven grandchildren: Joseph R. Hennessy, III, Elizabeth Hennessy, Anthony Szmyhol, Jr., Annie Szmyhol, Jake Noonan, Anne Noonan and Casey Noonan.

Funeral from the A.K. Macagna Funeral Home 495 Anderson Avenue Cliffside Park, N.J. on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 9:00am thence to Our Lady of Grace R.C. Church in Fairview, N.J. where a Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00am. Interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery in Paramus, N.J. The family will receive their friends Friday 3-9pm. www.akmacagnafuneralhome.com