Francis J. Hennessy

Francis J. “Frank” Hennessy

Frank Hennessy, 97, recently of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed to the next life on June 13, 2026 while in hospice care and with family gathered at his side.

Frank was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on March 25, 1929, son of Lauretta Chassey Hennessy and Frank J. Hennessy. Frank was an active youth, who played many sports and particularly excelled in baseball. He was also a Boy Scout and worked hard to earn his Eagle Scout rank in 1946. Frank graduated from Bridgewater High School in 1946.

Frank went on to achieve his B.A. in Education from Bridgewater State Teachers College in 1950. Upon graduation Frank taught briefly before enlisting in the United States Army. He served with distinction in a M.A.S.H. unit during the Korean Conflict and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

On October 25, 1953 Frank and Ruth M. Jeffery were married in Brunswick, Maine and spent seven decades together raising four children, spoiling four grandchildren and getting started on spoiling their first great granddaughter.

After his honorable discharge from the Army Frank went on to earn his Master’s Degree from Boston College and a Doctorate in Education from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He taught at several colleges before moving into administrative roles, first as Dean of the Junior College at Bridgeport University in Connecticut. Frank’s outstanding educational and administrative skills were recognized widely. He went on to serve as President of Delhi Agricultural College, Delhi, New York; President of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine; and Interim President of National University, San Diego, California. Frank had a special expertise in assisting colleges and universities in improving their programs to meet accreditation requirements. Frank concluded his distinguished educational career as a Director at the National Association of State Colleges and Universities, Washington, D.C.

Frank and Ruth both loved the outdoors, water of all configurations, and boating. They spent many happy hours boating in Upstate New York, Annapolis, Maryland, and Tellico, Tennessee. But true joy was found on Eagle Island Maine in the eastern Penobscot Bay. For over 60 years Ruth and Frank, their children, grandchildren, friends and extended family were able to vacation there each summer. They spent time out on the bay, put in a few hundred hours of cottage maintenance, and expanded their wide circle of friends.

Frank is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ruth, his sister Janet Mathews, his children: Kathleen A. Hennessy, Mary E. Hennessy, Patrick J. Hennessy, and Megan M. Corum; grandchildren: Emma C. Shafer, John C. Willis, Jeffery B. Hennessy and Katherine M. Corum; many nieces and nephews; and one great granddaughter, Anne K. Hennessy. Frank was predeceased by his parents and his brothers John “Jackie” Hennessy and Richard Hennessy.

A funeral service will take place at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, in the Chapel, on June 16, 2026 at 11:00 A.M.  There will be no calling hours.  Internment, with Military Honors, will be at the convenience of the family.  Arrangements are being handled by George Brothers Funeral Service, Greensboro.

 In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to Our Place Memory Day Center, Loudon, Tennessee and Beacon Place Hospice at AuthoraCare Collective, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Online condolences can be sent to the family on georgebrothersfuneral.com.

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