Jack P. Hennessy

Hennessy, Jack P.
John "Jack" P. Hennessy passed away on Friday, August 30th of complications resulting from a most recently diagnosed acute leukemia. He was 82. Jack touched many people in his life, primarily with his warm, genuine and personal greeting or his "Irishness" way of getting your attention. He usually followed with a humorous phrase or funny joke. He befriended people everywhere, no matter their status or career. Jack's quick wit and spontaneity also kept him close with numerous entertainers and comedians in the industry. Jack was a resident of Los Angeles for over 60 years. Born in 1919 in N. Dakota, Jack spent his early years growing up in Milwaukee with hs parents and two younger brothers. He attended St. Roberts Grammar School. After a year at Campion High School, he followed his parents to Los Angeles where he attended Loyola High School, class of 1938. After two years of employment in the workplace, he enrolled at Loyola University in Los Angeles. After one year, he transferred to USC. Following one semester he transferred to Georgetown University to study Foreign Service. Shortly thereafter, as World War II escalated, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army seeing active duty in the Philippines and Korea both during World War II. He attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After the war, Jack returned to Los Angeles but soon joined with his father to develop further what would eventually become Hennessy Industries, the leading manufacturer and manufacturer representatives of tire service equipment in the country for several decades. The Coats tire changer, Bada wheel balancer and Kenamental tire studs were among the top products produced or represented, with Ford Motorcraft products added in the latter years of the 1970's. Jack was extremely active in public relations for the wine and spirit industry over the past 26 years. He was instrumental in the fundraising and completion of the California Wine Museum, originally located at the California Museum of Science & Industry in Los Angeles, now relocated to the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville. He was a former Chairman of the California Wine Patrons. He was a Director of Domaine Chandon in Napa, a subsidiary of Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, for many years and assisted in public relations for various company products. Jack also was active with the Commanderie de Bordeaux and the Chevaliers Du Tastevin and both the International Wine & Food and the Beverly Hills Wine and Food Societies. He contributed freely to various organizations and was a longtime supporter of numerous charities and parishes including the Military & Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem and of Malta, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Jack is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirlee, a native of Hollywood, CA and their three children, Nancy Hoxsey of Yountville, CA; Mark Hennessey of Los Angeles, and Liz Souza of Carmel, CA. There are three grandchildren: Kendall and Morgaen Hoxsey and Courtney Souza. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Thurdsday, Sept. 5th, at St. Charles Borromeo Church at the corner of Lankershim Blvd. and Moorpark St. in North Hollywood. Interment will follow at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills. In lieu of flowers, the Hennessy family requests that donations be made to either Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Foundation for Cancer (Leukemia treatment) in Burbank, CA; or the Leukemia Society.