Paul J. Hennessey
Thursday, September 8, 1932
Date of Death:
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Age:
82 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday October 23, 2014
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday October 24, 2014
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Friday October 24, 2014
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: St. Pius X Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Thursday, September 8, 1932
Date of Death:
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Age:
82 years old
Thursday, September 8, 1932
Date of Death:
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Age:
82 years old
Paul J. Hennessey
Funeral services for Paul J. Hennessey of Rochester will be at 11 a.m Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with the Rev. Charlie Collins officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mr. Hennessey, 82, died Sunday Oct 19, 2014 at Cottagewood Memory Care in Rochester.
Paul was born in Rochester, Mn. on Sept. 8, 1932 to John M. and Ella (Connelly) Hennessey. He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother John R.; a sister LaVonne; and a son Michael. He is survived by his wife Marie Plemling; his two daughters, Mary (Bob) Kluck of Cottage Grove, Mn. and Jessica (John) Diaz of Lincoln, Neb.; his son, Nicholas of Rochester, Mn.; and his six grandchildren Michael, Bryan, Timothy, James, Sarah, Joseph Diaz; and his sister Lorraine Rabine of Jeddo, Michigan.
Paul graduated from Lourdes High School in 1951. He was energetic and a very hard worker. As a nine year old boy he drove the milk truck for his dad at Pine Hill dairy. In high school he worked as an orderly. His occupation was in sheet metal, but his main love was farming; he enjoyed his Oliver 1850 tractor. He was known for his delicious sweet corn. He raised polled Herefords, a wide variety of chickens, and ducks. He planted hundreds of trees on his property including fruit trees and berry bushes. As a result his family enjoyed fresh strawberries, apples, raspberries, and plums. He restored an old 1861 stone farm house in which he raised his family. In his later years he renovated the silo into an apartment for his friend, Fr. Joe Keefe. When he retired, he renovated a portion of the barn into an apartment where he lived for several years. He used to joke around saying that he was a humble man because he lived in a barn. He generously used that barn for dances, retreats, youth group gatherings, and storage for a Haitian charity. He also used his land to provide garden plots for needy families. He held hay rides and had bon fires for the youth groups.
Paul had a good sense of humor, never took himself seriously, was outgoing, and sociable. He was kind, generous, he loved music and dancing, loved to volunteer, always willing to help anyone.
His faith was very important to him. He was a Eucharistic minister at Methodist Hospital for over 30 years, he loved to visit with and pray for the sick. He was actively involved in Full Gospel Businessmen, the Rochester Christian Businessmen, and the Rochester Charismatic Prayer Group. He liked praying with and for people and was involved in the prayer room ministry. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Secular Franciscans.
When he retired he was actively involved with Senior Citizens and loved to go dancing several times a week. He was a very good dancer; he especially loved square dancing, old time and danced every dance with energy to spare.
He valued his family history and enjoyed sharing old pictures, stories and genealogy with others.
He was a giving man, loved people and will be dearly missed.
On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Paul J. Hennessey has received the following condolences.
Dear Hennessy Family,
My parents sent me Paul "Mr. Hennessy's" obituary from the Post Bulletin. I am writing to you to tell you what a special man, Mr. Hennessy was to me. When I was a young girl I lived in Country Club Manor, our family belonged to St. Pius church and my Dad knew Paul from Lourdes. I used to go for walks that took me by the Hennessy farm. I would walk by just to watch this little brown horse in the field by your home. One day I decided I would go up to the house and ask if I could pet him. I loved horses and was hopeful I could at the very least get to pet him. Mr. Hennessy not only let me pet him but he said I could come out and ride him anytime I wanted. I couldn't believe that he actually let me do this! I thought I had won the lottery. So I would walk out to the Hennessy farm and ride Topper as much as I could, summer or winter it didn't matter to me. I loved that horse and have the fondest memories of riding him through the woods and fields. Even after Topper kicked me in the face, I still continued to go ride him and brush him. What a special gift he gave me in Topper. My Dad grew up on a farm and I think I was somehow meant to be on a farm as I love animals and especially horses. I now live in the suburbs of Chicago and I do have two labs but I will always be thankful for Mr. Hennessy's trust and kindness. What a lovely man he was. I hope your good memories of him help you through your loss.
Best regards,
Molly Brennan Woodle
Paul was an amazing man, and I so enjoyed the times that I would get to visit with Nick out at the barn/farm/silo. My family is so sorry for the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather, and know that we are here for you all at this time and forever after.
Love
Shannon, Shaina, Zach, Ian, and the Corgis
Three best to have in plenty - sunshine, wisdom and generosity. Irish Triad
And I might add Friends a plenty. RIP Freind
To the Hennessey Family,
Blessings to you all as you celebrate Paul's life. I enjoyed getting to know Paul and Marie when I served at St. Pius from 1995-1998.
Fr. Michael Cronin
I am so saddened by the death of my Uncle Paul. I will always remember our summer trips to his home and all the fun we had as kids. It was such a welcoming and loving atmospher for us. Swinging in the tree swing, collecting eggs in the chicken coop, sitting in his fields of peas for hours across from his home and shucking and eating them!! I loved playing in the grainery, which had brightly colored Hollihocks next to it always. I will always remember his deep laugh that was like no other and I still see him running like a child. He had such life in him. He will truly be missed by so many people. His memory will last forever in my mind. Thanks Uncle Paul. I love you
Andrea
Words cannot express my sorrow for the loss of my precious Uncle Paul. He was the best uncle a girl could have. I remember visits to his farm as a child. He always had ice cream for us in the freezer. I loved the excitement at his farm...all the animals, walks through the cornfields, forts in the hay mow, and eating sweet corn that he grew. I remember him driving us in his car and it would sometimes backfire. He would laugh and say "I guess someone put beans in the gas tank!" We thought he was so funny. They are awesome childhood memories! As an adult I came to know Uncle Paul as a very special, hard working, caring and religious man. I remember him praying the rosary EVERY morning and his later years went to daily mass. He was such a caring man...he touched and helped so many people, including my own family. I have no doubt he is square dancing with the angels in heaven right now! God Bless you Uncle Paul....
Love, Debbie