Lawrence E. Hennessy Sr.

WILLIAMSBURG - Lawrence E. Hennessy Sr., beloved father and loving husband, departed this life on Aug. 20, 2008.
Larry Sr. was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., on May 29, 1929, to Lawrence E. and Julia Gaynor Hennessy, and attended St. Gabriel's and Blessed Sacrament H.S. where he distinguished himself on the basketball court as one of the City's greatest offensive scorers and earning the nickname 'Hesh' for his formidable shooting accuracy.
Hennessy played collegiate ball at Villanova University and holds several Wildcat scoring records including the highest p.p.g. average in the school's history with a 29.2 p.p.g. mark his senior year. A four time All-American selection, he elected to play against the Harlem Globetrotters on their nationwide tour with the collegiate All-American team in 1953 when the movie 'Go Man Go' was filmed.
Larry Sr. enlisted in the Army after completing his B.S. Economics degree and was stationed at Ft. Eustis, Va., where he coached and captained the 'Wheels' to an All-Army championship and was selected to the All Service all-star team. During this duty, Lawrence was a roommate with Willie Mays who led the Ft. Eustis baseball team to their own All-Army championships during the 1953 and '54 seasons. He also met his future wife, Catherine Cecelia Hanrahan Hennessy, daughter to William J. and Bonnie Wheeler Hanrahan of Wmsbg., while she was completing her studies at William & Mary.
Lawrence was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors of the early NBA in 1954 where he joined the World Champion team of 1955 and '56 season. Later drafted by the Syracuse Nationals for several seasons and, after becoming the Varsity Coach for the Neptune Sr. H.S., 'Scarlet Fliers', in Neptune, N.J., he continued to play professionally in the Eastern Basketball Association in Scranton, Pa.
Hennessy established a perennial powerhouse at Neptune and enjoyed countless honors and championship teams while cultivating its respected basketball program which still thrives under the stewardship of Coach O'Donnell, a former all-state player coached by him. Larry accumulated well over 500 wins at Neptune and, overall, accomplished in excess of 600 wins during his 30 year career. A disciple of Adolph Rupp and Red Auerbach, Hennessy refined an aggressive style of 'Blitz Basketball' which incorporated the full court pressure, man to man, trap the ball, denial-defense, and, fast breaking, swing and go offense of the pure game which is still in evidence today amongst the more enlightened teams who aspire to victory and an elevated potentiality. He was inducted to Halls of Fame at: Villanova University; Westchester County Sports Hall; and the N.J. Shore Conference Hall, respectively.
Larry was predeceased by his wife, Katy, and his daughter, Virginia Mary Anastasia, and is survived by his three sons, Larry Jr., Robert P. and Michael W., and grandson, Kai Lani Hennessy.
Like a father to many, a friend to all, a modest, light-hearted champion with an undying concern for all his players and an indefatigable Irish Catholic servant for goodness and action, the 'Big L.' will be missed by all who knew him as 'Coach,' or otherwise.
A funeral Mass Service will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at St. Bede's Catholic Church with interment to follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Williamsburg. Friends and family are welcome at a Wake at his residence on Cooley Road afterwards where the final triumph of a life well-lived will be celebrated. Arrangements being performed by Bucktrout Funeral Home of Williamsburg.
Expressions of sympathy to family are welcomed with gratitude and it was Larry's wish that donations be aimed at William & Mary's sports programs through Randy Hawthorn, or, to his ever cherished Villanova Wildcat basketball program and the Augustinian Brothers up in Philadelphia.

The race is not won, necessarily, by the fleetest foot
or the strongest hand,
Rather the resolute heart, the fixed effort,
and the clear aim,
Doth bring the racer to the tape,
and try and try and trying still,
All the racers win… View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.