James J. Hennessy died on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Dr. P. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, Florida after a prolonged illness. Jim was the beloved husband of Debbie and cherished father of Shannon (Hennessy) Wilkey. He also leaves behind his son-in-law Brian Wilkey and three sisters, Geraldine Kelly, Eileen Hennessy, and Mona Hennessy. He was born in 1954 in Dublin, Ireland, only son of John and Eileen Hennessy, moved to the US in 1961, and graduated from St. Peter's College in 1976 with a BS in Business. He worked as a stock broker on Wall Street, NY for Smith Barney Financial Services, then First Boston/Credit Swiss.
While in college, Jim coached his town Little League baseball team, played the game himself, and later became an active member of the Moose Club.
He enjoyed sports - playing such games as golf and baseball and was an avid fan, including have his own fantasy football team. He loved spending time with his family, attended all family gatherings, frequented Disney World, Bermuda, and loved the sun. The family moved to Florida in 2013, and Jim found his home. He lived in Orlando until his death.
He will be remembered as a kind, generous man, loyal to family and friends, with a great laugh, and a keen sense of humor and a deep faith that sustained him throughout his life.
He will be forever remembered, loved and missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. https://www.diabetes.org/
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 14, 2019 from 5-8PM, at the Lakeland Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 10:30AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 210 Lemon Street, Lakeland, FL. Entombment will follow in the Lakeland Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
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