Francis M. (Skip) Hennessy Jr.

Francis M. Hennessy Jr. (Skip), 85, formerly of lovely village of Florence, died at the Veteran’s Home in Holyoke with his children by his side.  Skip was born in Northampton June 15, 1938, the son of Francis and Bertille (Doyle) Hennessy.  He attended local schools and was a graduate of Northampton High School.  After serving his country as a clerk in the Army, he served his community as a proud Northampton firefighter for 32 years, retiring as Captain in 1995.

Retirement at a young age allowed Skip to answer what may have been his truest calling, that of full-time grandfather to his beloved grandchildren, a role to which he brought a profound amount of devotion, nurturing, kindness and love.

Skip also held part-time jobs in retirement where he was able meet new people and share his stories, sometimes over and over again. His favorite of these by far was the time he spent in the Workshop at Look Park during the month on December. Skip was down to earth in the best possible way: he liked to play golf and mow the grass, to fish, build furniture, and watch the Red Sox. He loved cider donuts and whoopie pies, kids and dogs, trains and the beach on Plum Island, and spending as much time as he could with his children and grandchildren. His children and grandchildren loved that even more.

Skip is survived by his daughter Erin Schadel and her husband Alan of Holyoke, his son Brian Hennessy and his wife Leianna of Williamsburg, and his son Robert Hennessy and his wife Carrie of Hatfield.  Skip also leaves his beloved grandchildren Jeffrey, Matthew, Abby, Katelynn and Finn, and his great-grandson Anthony.  He lost Michele, his wife of 47 years, in 2016.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday April 5 at 10:00am in Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke.  Burial will be by his wife’s side in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton.

Visiting hours will be on Thursday, April 4, from 4-7. At the Mitchell Funeral Home 15 Park St Easthampton

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Skip’s memory may be made to Northampton Firefighters Local 108.

www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis M. (Skip) Hennessy Jr., please visit our floral store.