Edward William Hennessy

Edward William Hennessy, 88, of Windsor, CT, and formerly of Northampton, MA, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024, with his family by his side. He was a loving husband to Shirley (Benson) Hennessy for 61 years. Ed was born on August 20, 1936, in Florence, MA, the son of Edward A. and Mary (Hannigan) Hennessy. Besides his wife, Ed is survived by his three children, Edward and Elizabeth (Kate Mullen) of Windsor, CT, and Kathryn (Colleen McBride) of Stoneham, MA; and grandson, Christian Hennessy of Tulsa, OK. Ed is predeceased by his sister, Margaret Conyngham, and daughters-in-law, Christy Hennessy and Phyllis Roche.
Upon graduation from Saint Anslem College, Ed enlisted in the Navy. He then joined Dun and Bradstreet Company and eventually relocated to New York. In 1971 Ed returned to Northampton as Assistant Director of Human Resources at Smith College for twenty years. After retirement from Smith College, Ed joined the Hutchins Reality Company as a realtor and enjoyed local real estate until retiring in 2008. Ed was active in Northampton as President of Children’s Aid and Family Services, and he served on the boards of the United Way, Annunciation Church, and Boy Scout Troop 103 in Florence; he was also a volunteer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. In 2011, Ed and Shirley relocated to Windsor, CT, to be near family.
Ed’s Catholic faith and his family were most important to him. His funeral mass will be celebrated at Annunciation Chapel, where Ed was baptized and made his first communion and confirmation. He was married at Blessed Sacrament Church but is returning to his family’s church for his final sacrament. Throughout his life Ed enjoyed traveling with his family. From Ireland to Maine, he found joy in being with Shirley, their children, extended family, and friends. He enjoyed fishing on the Belgrade Lakes, cheering on the UCONN and Wesleyan Women’s basketball teams and soaking up the sunshine at the beach in Wells, Maine. Ed leaves many special friends and family including sisters-in-law Jean, Beverly, Peggy (Ervin), and Diane; nieces, nephews, and cousins; Sharpie Lucey; Pat, Mary, Patrick and Julia Barnett and Robert Russo; Sara Dwyer; and his girls at Beach Dreams. We would like to thank Pansy Homecare of West Hartford, CT; Arden Courts of Avon, CT; and Evergreen Health Care Center of Stafford Springs, CT, for the kind and compassionate care Ed received during these past few months.

Calling hours will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18, at Ahearn Funeral Home, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11:15 a.m. at Annunciation Chapel, 85 Beacon St., Northampton MA. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Northampton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ed’s favorite park. https://www.lookpark.org/about/support/