Philip Michael Hennessey

PHILIP MICHAEL HENNESSEY JUNE 28, 1947 - OCT. 4, 2006 Philip Michael Hennessey was born in Lawrence, MA on June 28th, 1947 and departed this world on October 4th, 2006. The youngest of five children in an Irish family, Phil would admit to being a bit spoiled by his older siblings. His memories of his childhood evolved around the joys of playing outside all day when not in school. His days were filled with unorganized pick-up games of basketball, baseball and football, sledding down hills and ice hockey in winter and having to go inside only when called to supper.

Phil always considered himself a lucky man. He had a family he adored and a job he actually looked forward to each day. From the time he was a young boy Phil always knew he wanted to be a teacher. After graduating from Central Catholic High School he took a detour from education and joined the Air Force to see the world. While serving in a communications squadron in Japan he met a young Army nurse who would become his wife. Phil and Ruby were married in MA but having had enough of shoveling snow and driving on ice, Phil looked forward to leaving New England and moving with Ruby to sunny California.

After graduating from Sonoma State College with a BA in history and a teaching credential in 1974, Phil began his career with Modesto City Schools as a sixth grade teacher at Orville Wright Elementary School. He later obtained an administrative credential. Over a number of years Phil served as principal of Sutter Elementary, Orville Wright and Lakewood Elementary schools. Under Phil's leadership, Lakewood was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and almost the entire staff traveled to Washington, DC to receive their award in a White House Rose Garden ceremony. Nine years ago Phil returned to his first love and joined the Enslen staff as a classroom teacher. His love of learning combined with a calm, encouraging teaching style inspired his students to do their best and made him popular with both students and parents. In 1998 Phil became an exchange teacher through the Fulbright Program and he and Ruby moved to Finland for a year long adventure. With snow from October to April they learned to love cross country skiing, tried their hand at ice fishing and spent one memorable night in an ice hotel where they slept on a bed of ice. Returning to his Enslen classroom Phil continued to share his love of learning with students both in and out of the classroom ~ the after school computer club he started with a fellow teacher was an opportunity to share his love of technology with many eager students. Perhaps the most visible measure of Phil's success as a teacher is the tremendous outpouring of support he received during this past year from his colleagues across the district, students and families. He was well-loved man.

Phil found great pleasure in the beauty of nature and spent many happy hours hiking and back packing in Yosemite and walking the beaches along the coast. Camera in hand, he was always ready to capture that perfect flower, bird in flight or majestic scenery. Phil and Ruby also loved traveling and considered themselves fortunate to have had the opportunity to see much of the world.

Though he was blessed with many friends, Phil was above all a family man who enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Ruby, his daughter Jennifer, her husband Glenn and three wonderful grandchildren, Sarah, Peter and Daniel who brought their Papa endless pleasure. He is also survived by his son Sean and his partner, Ron, who live in London, England. Phil was extremely happy that Sean was able to come home to be with him so many times over the past year. Phil is also survived by his mother, Anna Hennessey of MA; brothers, Daniel Hennessey of Conn. and James Hennessey of MA and a sister, Anne Marie McPhee of NV. He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Hennessey and sister Marilyn Goudreau.

Please join with us in honoring and celebrating Phil's life at the visitation and funeral services. A closed casket visitation will take place at Lakewood Memorial Park and Funeral Home from 4 to 8 pm on Monday, Oct. 9th. A memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 10th at All Saints Catholic Church in Turlock at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Philip Hennessey Memorial Fund to benefit students. Donations may be sent to Enslen School at 515 Coldwell Ave. Modesto, CA 95354.

www.modbee.com/obituaries