WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES APRIL 23, 2020 5
F.H. mourns loss of former CB 6 chair
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
CMOHAMED@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Joe Hennessy, former chairman of Community
Board 6, died on Thursday, April 1, from complications
related to the coronavirus. He was 82
years old.
Hennessy chaired the board for 30 years, which
covers Forest Hills and Rego Park, until he was
voted out in September 2019. He served as president
of the Forest Hills Co-op and board member
of Queens Community House, a respected and still
active nonprofit social services organization.
Last month, Hennessy was honored with a proclamation
from the Queens borough president’s
office for his dedication to the community.
“He was extremely dedicated to everybody,”
said Frank Gulluscio, CB 6 district manager, who
worked with Hennessy for 17 years. “Joe didn’t
care what faith you were or what political party
you belonged to, he was just there to help the
constituents of the district.”
Gulluscio recalled a message that Hennessy
shared with the board.
“Every year when new members came on
board at the first meeting, he would always tell
everybody, ‘You’re here for everybody, not your
personal agenda. We represent all regardless, and
if you remember that, we can get the job done,’”
Gulluscio said.
“It’s a great loss for the community,” Gulluscio
added.
Hennessy is survived by his wife of 57 years,
Catherine; three daughters, Patricia Hennessy,
Karen Bernsley and Sheila Thomas; eight grandchildren;
and brothers Jerry and John Hennessy.
Hennessy immigrated to America from Ireland
in 1957 and served in the Army, according
to Thomas. He later became the general manager
of Team Systems Corp., the largest taxi fleet in
New York City.
“He was generous with his time and energy,”
Thomas said. “He spent a lot of time helping people,
and taking the community to achieve the goals
that they wanted for Forest Hills and Park. We
were very lucky to have him with us for so long.”
According to Thomas, her father’s dedication to
service filtered through each daughter. Thomas
is a retired police officer, Patricia is a nurse, and
Bernsley is a special education teacher.
“Without even realizing it his example directly
affected all of us, and what our children’s professions
would be as adults,” Thomas said.
State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi remembered
Hennessy as a true friend and gracious
leader.
“Joe’s advocacy for our friends and neighbors
was unparalleled,” Hevesi said in a statement to
QNS. “I became acquainted with Joe at the start
of my civic life, and he never ceased to be an upstanding
example of what it meant to be a public
servant: generous, kind, receptive, responsive.
His only motive was the betterment of our community.
Joe will be sorely missed.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng shared her condolences
on Twitter.
“A tireless advocate for Forest Hills and Rego
Park, he was wonderful community leader who
served with distinction. His contributions over
many decades of service will not be forgotten,”
she wrote.
Hennessy was laid to rest at Calverton National
Cemetery in eastern Long Island on Thursday,
April 16.
Joe Hennessy, 82, former chairman of
Community Board 6, died on April 1 from
complications related to the coronavirus.
Photo courtesy of Sheila Thomas
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