Curtis Allen Hennesy

1936 - 2021

Curtis Allen Hennesy, "Allen", died on January 30, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was 84. Allen was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 15, 1936 and graduated from Alcee Fortier, Sr. High School. He received a B.S. from Louisiana State University in 1958, where he was a member of the ROTC and Sigma Chi Fraternity. He received an L.L.B. from Tulane University School of Law in 1961 where he was elected vice president of the senior class, was a member of the Moot Court Board, a member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, La Societé du Droit Civil, and Omicron Delta Kappa national honorary leadership fraternity. While a student at Tulane, Allen won the Harrison Tweed Memorial Cup with William Porteous, III and Philip Yazbeck in a national moot court competition for submitting the "best briefs". After law school, he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force, working as a member of the Judge Advocate General's Office and as a NATO Status of Forces Trial Observer. Upon completion of his service in 1964, he returned to New Orleans and formed a law partnership with Albert John Flettrich. Thereafter, in 1977 he joined the law firm of McCloskey, Dennery, Page & Hennesy. In 1985 he and his law partners merged with Lemle, Kelleher. During this time, he also worked closely with Dryades Savings and Loan handling their real estate closings. Following his time at Lemle Kelleher, Allen rose to the position of President of Dryades Savings & Loan, managing a considerable bond portfolio and real estate closing practice. In his later years, Allen worked as a partner at Monroe & Lemann and was Special Counsel at Kean, Miller, Hawthorne, D'Armond, McCowan & Jarman. After 58 years of practice, he retired in 2019. During his career, Allen practiced in the areas of litigation, tax, estate planning, probate, and business law. He served as the President of the Notaries Association of New Orleans in 1976 and was a member of the New Orleans Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, and American Bar Association. In addition to practicing law, Allen gave selflessly of his time as a board member of several charitable organizations. He served on the board of directors of Southern Baptist Hospital from 1975 to 1983, and was elected chairman in 1980. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Southern Baptist Hospital Foundation for 40 years and represented the McFarland family in their generous donations to Southern Baptist Hospital. He was also the president of Episcopal Housing for Seniors and Lambeth House, Inc. from 1999 to 2002, overseeing the development and construction of the facility. In his free time, Allen was an avid tennis player and served as the President of the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club from 1976 to 1979. He was also the member of several private men's clubs and carnival organizations. He presented both of his daughters as queens of carnival krewes, and he himself reigned as a king, waiving his scepter like a tennis racquet. Allen is survived by his wife of 53 years, Epsie Steiner Hennesy; his two daughters, Ellen Hennesy White (Stephen) and Carolyn "Yummy" Bateman Hennesy; his grandchildren, Charlotte Hennesy White and Stephen Collier White, Jr; and his sister, Carolyn Hennesy Turner (Jack). He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Moore Hennesy and Maude Bateman Hennesy. Allen loved his family and friends very much. He was known to his grandchildren as "Bunny", a nickname drawn from his childhood. Allen's idea of a perfect day might include a great tennis match, lunch at Galatoire's, reading a spy novel in the afternoon, and a wonderful dinner prepared by his loving wife and shared with friends and family. Services will be private but will be shared live at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021 on the St. Martin's Episcopal Church Facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/STMChurch/live/. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 2216 Metairie Rd., Metairie, LA 70005. To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com