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1936 - 2016

BORN

1936

DIED

2016

Tom Hennessy Memoriam

Tom Hennessy, a former columnist and longtime fixture at the Press-Telegram whose deeply personal anecdotes and colorful tales about Long Beach sparked morning conversations for nearly three decades, died from heart complications Saturday. He was 80.

To read Hennessy's obituary, click here.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Press-Telegram on Apr. 2, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Tom Hennessy

34 Entries

Paul Rohsner

February 8, 2022

Paul Rohsner

February 8, 2022

Paul Rohsner

February 8, 2022

I just did a search for Tom and found this obit. He was an enjoyable man to work with and inspired me in journalism. I'm sorry I missed him. I started scanning my images from the '70s in 2019, and here are a couple.

Bridget Rogers

April 29, 2016

Tom, your light will shine forever thru the friends you made and your family!! I have many wonderful memories of our conversations during your visits to Pavilions with your beautiful wife .Tom, you and your family will always be in my prayers .

Karen Tamura

April 18, 2016

Psalm 34, Matt 6...
May the Lord change all your tears into God's beautiful rainbow!

Donald Shoemaker

April 17, 2016

Tom was an outspoken liberal with a special inclination to write wittily against whatever he disliked about religion, which meant he often put Evangelical Protestantism in his crosshairs.

I developed a very special friendship with him as we would get together to debate and discuss theology, politics, ethics, social issues, personal matters and more. I will deeply miss him.

Donald Shoemaker
Pastor Emeritus
Grace Community Church of Seal Beach CA

Jeni Johnson

April 16, 2016

It was an honor to be a Caregiver for Mr. Tom Hennessy. A legend in his field. He will be missed.
Jeni Johnson

Miriam Yarden

April 14, 2016

Much was lost with his passing, but oh, so much was left behind......
C. Miriam Yarden

John Blowitz

April 9, 2016

I just read of Tom's passing and want to wish Debbie and his family the deepest condolences from me and Fran. He was a terrific writer and columnist. He rode his white horse in defense of the little guys and, although he sometimes slipped a bit due to his enthusiasm, his heart was true. God bless you, Tom

Diane Rush

April 8, 2016

I'll always cherish memories of Poetry Week that Tom conceived and hosted at Barnes & Noble in Marina Pacifica. He brought politically diverse people together as friends.

Judy Garvin

April 6, 2016

When I read Steve Lopez in the L.A. Times, I think he must have been inspired and influenced by Tom Hennessy's wonderful insights into life and humanity. Though more widely known, Steve has a high bar to reach for, a bar set by Tom through his many years of writing for the Press-Telegram. Tom's desire to reach out to his fellow man and his deep feeling for others are something for us to always remember. He was a charming, intelligent, well-read man with a deep and abiding love for his wife and family. He will be missed.

Russell Clampitt

April 6, 2016

It was a pleasure working with Tom at the Press-Telegram. He was always so good-humored and gracious. When he decided to take on a cause, his loyal readers listened and responded with enthusiasm. Kindest regards to his family and many friends.

Harriet Ottaviano

April 4, 2016

I was so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I enjoyed his columns over the years and was proud that in one of his columns he shared my memories of running in the NYC Marathon just after 9-11. My sympathies to Debbie and all of his family. There will never be another Tom Hennessy.

Kathy Berry

April 4, 2016

I have just read 20 of these comments. They are wonderful, sad, full of memories, and all a tribute to a very wonderful man.

They are all true and I can't say more right now. Blessings to Tom's family, friends and readers!!

Gail Grossman

April 4, 2016

Dear Debbie and Family
So many memories that our families shared, especially my parents Herman and Polly Alevy and your many trips to Notre Dame games, oh what fun they had. There many talks about baseball, Tom's love for the game and my dad sharing his love and his worship of Gil Hodges. Tom was there for us after the plane crash in Cerritos as it was on our street. We miss seeing him, we know that he and dad are up there together talking baseball, politics and Notre Dame Football. G-d Bless all of you.
Marty, Gail (Alevy), Seth, Hong, Sophie and Paul Grossman

Dad and me before a USC-Notre Dame football game

Scott Alevy

April 4, 2016

Mr. Hennessey and my Dad, Herman Alevy, had a marvelous friendship that was centered on their shared (though misguided) infatuation with Notre Dame football and their mutual admiration for the late Gil Hodges (who also passed away on April 2nd). Mr. Hennessey wrote several columns about my Dad and the quest to get Mr. Hodges elected to the Hall of Fame. I enjoyed (and endured) a few trips to the Coliseum with both of them to watch USC-Notre Dame football games, animated discussions with Loel Schrader, and enjoyed numerous conversations and emails with Mr. Hennessey later in life. My Dad loved the man. He enriched every life he touched and he will be missed. My warmest condolences to Debbie and her family. May he rest in peace.

Jennifer Geer

April 3, 2016

I worked with his daughter Patti T. in the 1990s and was honored to meet him when he stopped by our office. He was going to be a grandpa soon and he had such a sweet smile about him. My heartfelt condolences to his daughter, Patti, his grandchildren and all his family. Jennifer Geer (nee Palomaki)

Ann Cantrell

April 3, 2016

Along with his many contributions to Long Beach, for a time, Tom hosted a monthly meeting for local poets to read their work. Here was my contribution in April, 2002.

TRIBUTE TO A HERO

Many and many a year ago, in a Queendom by the sea,
There arrived a scribe of great renown by the name of Hennessy.
With his faithful canines, Phydeaux, followed by Molly and Malone,
And Debbie, his gracious Duchess, he made Long Beach his home.
He immediately set to work, and with his writing skills,
Began to alert his readers of the many existing ills.

And he wrote with a love that is more than love,
Of things past and those yet to be,
Revealing much of the good and evil
In this Queendom by the sea.

He campaigned for animals, those in labs and used for fur,
He started the Ugly Dog Contest to glorify every cur.
He collected money for statues, police dogs, birds and books.
He wrote about developers and exposed the schemes of crooks.
He's backed the many citizen fights for vital beach and park lands,
Risking job and reputation for such unpopular stands.

And he writes with a love that is more than love,
On topics affecting you and me,
Disclosing the innocent and the guilty
In this Queendom by the sea.

His writings have earned admiration of people far and near,
And are scorned only by the few who have something to fear.
His columns cover history, politics, death and birth.
They can bring his readers to tears, of anguish and of mirth.
His subjects range from 9/11 to bad jokes on St. Patrick's day,
From grandchildren to poetry to how Notre Dame might play.

And he writes with a love that is more than love,
With pathos and levity,
Attempting to improve with skillful words
This Queendom by the sea.

He has used his ability as a wordsmith to identify many things unjust,
Including his constant personal fight against being too robust.
He has glorified and honored the many heroes of our community,
But to me, the champion hero of them all, is himself, Tom Hennessy!

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Robert Ginn

April 3, 2016

Tom was one of the true good guys in this world of ours!!! He was a shinning light at the paper which so many of us lived so much of lives at - He brought us joy and insight and kindest so often.

I've missed him since the last time I talked with him last year about our common illness' - His never ending positive suggestions, outlook and concerns for us all is legion...

Grandparents and Special Friends Day at Twain

Janet Stribling

April 3, 2016

Collecting Donations for Send-A-Kid-To-Camp

Janet Stribling

April 3, 2016

Grandparents and Special Friends Day at Twain

Janet Stribling

April 3, 2016

David Levin

April 3, 2016

If I learned one thing from Tom over all the years it was about having personal integrity in everything you do. As a popular journalist Tom faced ethical questions everyday about what to write, what not to write, and how to insure fairness and objectivity at all times. Tom would always err on the side of being too careful. He was the cop who would have rather paid for a doughnut than be beholden to a doughnut maker. One look at the political, social and business landscape of today tells us that this type of personal integrity is far from customary. Having Tom as a father-in-law put me in the position of considering any ethical decision using a "what would Tom do?" criteria. I'm pretty sure if everybody had that guideline informing them at all times, the world would not only be better but possibly unrecognizable. Luckily for me and everyone in our family and everyone who knew Tom, we all have that moral compass steering us through life and compelling us to be the best and always do right and there is really no higher praise for a person than to say, "He showed me and all who knew him how to be a better person." Thanks for that Tom...you will always be with me.

Tracey South

April 3, 2016

He was a good hearted man, down to earth, honest and I am so sad to hear he passed. I always felt like I knew him, like he was family. As I read the article just now about his life, there were many details that made me say "Wow, I never knew he did that!" And many other things that made me think "Yes, I remember when he did that." Long Beach was blessed to have him. My condolences to his family.
~ Tracey Booth-South

jay zarowitz

April 3, 2016

thank you for what you added to our lives.

Dot Cannon

April 3, 2016

Tom and I corresponded by email after I won one of his "write a verse for our Christmas play" contests. He was always kind, funny and approachable. A line in one of his early e-mails read, "Please don't call me 'Mr Hennessy'. I feel old enough as it is." We had the pleasure of meeting him and Debbie at an event in Long Beach and they were great!

Mr. Long Beach

Arlene Donato

April 3, 2016

Diana Rousseau

April 3, 2016

I love you, Dad. I know you have found a perfect spot in Heaven to sit with a good book. I can't wait to hear to hear all your new stories when we meet again...save a place for me by your side. Love, Diana

April 3, 2016

I am so deeply s sadden at hearing to tom Hennessey's passing... I was a faithful reader from day one. I have so much missed the bantering between him and Lowell Schrader during the week of the SC Notre Dame Game.. It mad no difference to tome that the Trojans had more Catholics than the Irish or that my beloved Trojans were robbed by so many games during the 80's. I loved hearing about Debbie aka the duchess. tome your were truly on of a kind
steve voigt
Long Beach ca
562-307-5299

darla drummond

April 3, 2016

I asked Tom to come and write a story about Doug Hensley, principal at Bethany Lutheran School on Arbor and Clark. Doug was retiring after working there for 40 yrs. Tom did and it was a fantastic article. I also was a fan of his articles. I followed the Little League team articles to the World Series.

Dad in Bodega

Diana Rousseau

April 3, 2016

Jeri Livingstone

April 2, 2016

Tom was the heart and soul of Long Beach for many years and his column jumpstarted my morning 4 times a week. I was so honored to develop a friendship with him and The Duchess...the most precious of human beings ...in the aftermath of Dan's death. Because of my volunteer work with SOS,we worked closely together as he gathered subjects for his award-winning "Out of the Darkness" series, and remained friends from that point on. I feel tremendous sorrow mixed
with deep gratitude; my life will continue to be enriched going forward for having known Tom and Debbie Hennessy. I smile as I
picture Phydeaux, Molly and Malone rushing to meet him, and I wish him a safe journey. God Bless You, Tom and Debbie. You are greatly loved.

Mat Kaplan

April 2, 2016

I'm so sad. Tom's heart was the heart of our town, and often its eyes and mind, too. He was there for me in a time of need. He was a jolly, curious, kind and articulate advocate and inquisitor in every medium...but woe unto those whose actions violated his sense of justice or fairness. We are all so fortunate to have had him in our lives and on our doorsteps.

Bob Amaral

April 2, 2016

I will miss being able to go to Tom for an opinion; a laugh; a story; a remembrance and all of those peppered with his sharp Irish humor and always given with complete honesty, humor and insight. A friend to all; a talented journalist and columnist and a truly humble human being. I know there are many, many people who will miss him dearly. RIP Tom . . . .

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