Joseph Anthony Hennessey, a faith-filled man and loving patriarch, passed over peacefully on Oct. 5, 2016 at the age of 88. Joseph was born on Sept. 17, 1928 in Los Angeles, Calif. to Cornelius Francis Hennessey and Helen Irene Cull Hennessey, the second of their three children.

A man of high moral character, integrity and intelligence with a boundless curiosity, Joe’s lifelong love of learning and service to the church was a testament to his Jesuit education. Proud of his Irish Catholic roots, he attended Beverly Hills Catholic School, and then spent three years of high school at Mt. Angel Abbey and Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon. Joe attended his final year of high school at Loyola High School (Class of 1946) in Los Angeles and he then graduated from Loyola University (Class of 1950). He also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from USC.

He met his sweetheart, Gloria Meng, at a Loyola University Valentine’s Day dance. Married in 1952, the couple traveled the world together, visiting places throughout the United States, Europe and Asia—a great joy for Joe, who was an avowed student of history, languages (Latin, German and Spanish), art and different cultures.

Joe had a thirst for knowledge and was very inquisitive; he loved the arts—opera, theater, music, and literature. Joe loved nothing more than reading in his back yard with a favorite opera playing in the background, tending to his vegetable garden, and closely monitoring and studying the stock market.

His greatest love was the family he built with his beloved wife, Gloria. They were the source of Joe’s pride and joy. A loving, wise and compassionate presence in all of their lives, the “Big Kahuna,” as he was affectionately called, was most often heard exclaiming his love and support for his family. “I’m so proud of you!” Joe would say. “Always remember your Grandpa Joe loves you!” 

Joe began his career at the State Division of Highways, and then for the County of Orange in its right-of-way division. In 1977 he opened Hennessey & Hennessey, a commercial real estate appraisal firm specializing in public improvement projects. He had often served as an expert witness in real estate-related trials.

A former parishioner at La Purisima Catholic Church in Orange and more recently a parishioner at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, Joe spent many years in service to the church. He had served on the Bishop of Orange’s Real Estate Land Board for Bishop William Johnson, Bishop Norman McFarland and Bishop Tod Brown.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gloria, his six children, Patrick (Karen) Hennessey, of Santa Ana, CA; Sheila (Cameron) Hennessey Bruce of Moraga, CA; Bridget (Roy) Schumacher of La Mesa, CA; Mary Jo (Jim) Cunningham of San Diego, CA; Sharon (Mark) La Bonte of Tustin, CA; Michael (Gwen) Hennessey of Santa Ana, CA; and 16 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren with one on the way.

The funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, 12:30 p.m. at Holy Family Cathedral, 566 S. Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Holy Family Cathedral School (Angels in Education Tuition Assistance Fund), 530 S. Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866, and Isaiah House: Orange County Catholic Worker, 316 S. Cypress Avenue, Santa Ana, CA.

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