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Columbia University St. John's College

JAMES HENNESSY Obituary

HENNESSY--James R., beloved partner of Marc B. Porter, died suddenly in Manhattan on January 23, 2025. He was born in Excelsior, Minnesota in a house overlooking the waters of Lake Minnetonka. His lifelong interest in politics, travel, literature, and architecture led him to St. John's College in Santa Fe and then to Trinity College Dublin for graduate studies in Irish Literature. He came to New York to earn his degrees in Historic Preservation and in Law at Columbia University. He spent his entire professional career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, devoted to public service. His love of travel and education recently led him to INSEAD in Fontainebleau and the publication of his Master's thesis Reimagining Organizations: The Stories we Tell, underpinning his stewardship of the New York Fed's Governance and Culture Reform Initiative, created in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. In addition to Marc, he is survived by his five siblings who still live near the Lake: John, Frank, Mary, Patty and William; and by two classmates from St. John's: the brothers Kent and Mark Dayton, whose wonderful family "adopted" Jim and introduced him to the magic of Marin County. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's College in Santa Fe: www.sjc.edu/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=santa-fe. A gathering in Jim's honor will be held in the future.

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

Published by New York Times on Jan. 26, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for JAMES HENNESSY

41 Entries

Diana Bowes

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Theonilla Lee-Chan

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Pam and Randy Freer

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Jeff Espinoza

June 2, 2025

Sincerest condolences to Marc and the family of Jim. Did not meet him but hear always the best, warmest and most wonderful things thru Marc. Sending love always to Jim and his loved ones.

Craig and Nicky

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Ricardo Senerman

March 21, 2025

I am sorry to learn about James passing. We shared authorship of a book, and so much more.
A great counsellor and schoolmate (Insead). Sophisticated, elegant, brilliant. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
My deepest condolences to Marc and his family and friends.

Jeroen De Rycke

March 21, 2025

A great soul, RIP, I will never forget our time together at Insead.

Cheryl & Jeffrey Lichtman

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Derrick Roberts

March 3, 2025

James Hennessy was the embodiment of warmth, kindness, and generosity. He carried a rare light that made everyone around him feel seen, valued, and embraced. His generosity wasn´t just about what he gave but how he gave-always with an open heart, an easy smile, and a genuine desire to uplift others. Whether through a kind word, a helping hand, or his unwavering support, James had a way of making the world a little brighter. His legacy is one of love, connection, and an undeniable presence that will be deeply missed but forever cherished.

Marcie and Richard Zeiger

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Todd, Jess, & Wells Zeiger

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Matt, Molly and Hadley Zeiger

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Joe Furey

February 10, 2025

My sincere condolences to Mark and all of his family. What a legacy he leaves with all his educational accomplishments, his travels and contributioins to the Bank. He was a great guy! May he rest in eternal peace!

Denise Goodstein.

February 9, 2025

My condolences to the family. May he be a blessed memory. He will be greatly missed

Laura Bizzi

February 9, 2025

Laura Bizzi from Florence, Italy, remembers beloved Jim, best friend of her brother Giorgio

Annmarie RoweStraker

February 9, 2025

My deepest heartfelt condolences, Jim was one of the kindest, most genuine human, he will be forever missed. May his memories be of comfort during this difficult time.

Gabriela Lee

February 2, 2025

It was a pleasure and honor to have known James. I am so so sad and sorry. Sending love and hope for strength and peace to Marc and James´s family.

Jenna

February 2, 2025

So sad to hear this news. It was a pleasure to know James for all of these years. Always looked forward to your holiday cards in the office.
My deepest condolences to you, Marc, and to all of James´ family and friends.
Jenna Smith

Jenna Filipkowski

February 2, 2025

I only had the opportunity to work with Jim closely for several months in the summer of 2024. I admired his intelligence, patience, and thoughtfulness. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Claire lanigan

February 2, 2025

My sincere condolences to Jim´s partner Marc, his family and colleagues at the FEDNY. I am so saddened to lose a gentleman like Jim; I had the pleasure of working with him over the years and always enjoyed his smiling, engaged and gentle style. Rest in peace Jim.

Tobias Meyer and Mark Fletcher

January 31, 2025

Our most sincere condolences to Jim´s partner Marc and Jim´s family and loved ones
Tobias Meyer and Mark Fletcher

Tobias Meyer and Mark Fletcher

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Michael Findlay

January 29, 2025

I am deeply saddened and send my condolences to Marc and Jim's family and friends.

Sandra Boes O'Brien

January 29, 2025

What a shock to see that Jim (James) had passed. My deepest sympathy to Marc and other loved ones. Jim was such a dear friend to me in high school: so honest, authentic, fun, intelligent and already with such maturity and leadership at a young age. He was President of the Student Council and highly respected. Sadly we lost touch after high school, but I'm so grateful he attended our reunion in 2018, and we were able to hug and laugh together once again. Jim has a very special place in my heart and he always will. RIP dear Jim.

Monuments Men and Women Fnd

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Ann Merz Carr

January 28, 2025

Jim Hennessy was one of my favorite friends throughout all of my school years. We were in the same class in 1st grade, all the way through grade school at St Johns in Excelsior...then on to Benilde St Margarets for high school. There was no one like Jim. He was always so kind, so smart, so funny, so present, so amazing in every way. He was ahead of his time. He was one of the most "up" people I knew- always "in" for anything- super supportive and always making it fun --including everyone along the way. He came from a wonderful family and was so grounded with his Excelsior roots. He was the most positive person- a light in every day to everyone around him.
His business accomplishments were outstanding- but they do not come close to the legacy he will leave to so many people on what it means to be a good human being. Sending blessings and love to Marc and to his dear friends, family and loved ones. You will be forever missed Jim Hennessy!

Mirea Raaijmakers

January 28, 2025

My deepest condolences to Marc, his family and friends and his colleagues, especially the governance and culture team.
You´ll be missed, dearest Jim. Ever since our paths crossed we shared a professional mission and that has always been special. You, Marc and the FED team are in my prayers.

Ted MacDonald

January 28, 2025

Jim you were a prince among men, thoughtful, interested in new ideas, listening attentively to people you'd known a long time as well as those you'd just met. You carried various flags for all of us... we will now pick up those flags, partly in your honour! My thoughts are with your family and closest friends...

Denise Ratinoff

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Kyle Clifford (amfAR)

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Hiram Williams

January 27, 2025

Our deepest condolences for Marc and for Jim´s family.

Hiram Williams and Peter Vaughn

Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson

January 27, 2025

Jim was such a kind, thoughtful person. Who else could welcome a neuroscientist into dialogue with the NY Federal Reserve about trust and culture? I will miss him. The NY Fed was made all the better by his thoughtfulness, dedication, and extraordinarily broad expansive view of responsibility, governance, and culture. My condolences to Marc and to all those who now carry him in memory.

TAMAF

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Wieke Scholten

January 27, 2025

Condoleances Marc - what a wonderful and sweet man Jim was. What an incredible loss. He has been a constant friend over the last 10 years that I have known him. I will miss him very much. As a person, as a colleague who truly gave the culture and behavioural risk work in financial services a explicit and important push, as an always encouraging friend. I would like to send heartfelt sympathy to the NYFed team. What a leader is lost. It is such devastating news. Love to all.

Bob M

January 26, 2025

Jim was truly one of the sweetest humans I´ve ever known . While I never saw enough of him, when i did t was joy, it was just where we left off before, it was fun, it was always laughter. Jim was incredibly special and completely unique! Though he departed quietly (like he lived) my heart aches for Marc.
Xox

Rachael Scherer

January 26, 2025

My heart goes out to Marc and Jim´s family. In high school he was truly one of the most interesting and interested of our friends-and so so funny. He attended our 40 year (?) reunion in MN, and we were all thrilled to see him. His work at the Fed was, not surprising brilliant and so aligned with his interests. Gone far too soon.

Cheri Drahos Dixon

January 26, 2025

I am so very sorry. Jim was an amazing high school friend who was an incredible leader and hilarious person!

Elizabeth Arzadon

January 26, 2025

Dear Jim, you will be so missed. You touched the lives of countless people around the world, personally and professionally. You were an inspiration and a mentor, a man of immeasurable wisdom, intellect, compassion, and commitment. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends at this time of great loss. Rest in peace, Jim.

Cindy Matthews

January 26, 2025

My Prayers and Condolences To The Family.

David Grosse

January 26, 2025

Thoughts are with all Jim's family and friends. I met Jim through our work on banking culture and our mutual belief that much more could and should be done. He was a lovely, thoughtful and genuine man who was always prepared to give of his time, engage and listen. He was an exemplar to all.

Bobby Beard

January 26, 2025

Sending my heartfelt condolences And much love to Marc.

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