Peter John Hennessey, Jr.

Peter John Hennessey Jr., age 95 passed away on April 27, 2015. He was the son of Col. Peter John Hennessey and Blanche Thayer Hennessey. He was born on February 11, 1920 in Topeka, Kansas. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1937 and The University of Texas in Austin in 1941 with a major in insurance. He was an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps, finished flight school in April 1942, and served as a pilot and Instructor Pilot for the B-25 during World War II. He was qualified to fly 20 different airplanes including the B-25, Martin B-26, C47 and P51. He logged over 2725 hours while on active duty and several hundred more when in the reserves for a cumulative total of over 3000 hours. He received the American Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Victory Medal and Air Medal leaving the service with the rank of Captain. He joined GPM Life in 1945 as one of only 5 employees became President in 1953, Chairman of the Board in 1981 and when he retired there were 125 employees. He retired in Jan 2002. Mr. Hennessey's charitable activities, public service, and civic awards are extensive. He was past President of the following organizations: the Alamo Heights Independent School District, the Alamo Kiwanis Club, the Army Community Council, the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, the Alamo Area Council Boy Scouts of America, and the Texas Life Convention. He was a past Vice President of the American Life Convention, An Advisory Member of the Army Medical Department Museum Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Memorial Hospital, Director of the Alamo Area Council Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Silver Beaver Award in 1959, and the Good Shepherd Award in 1988, a Member of the Advisory council of Business Careers High School, Advisory Director to Youth for Christ of San Antonio and Youth Service USA, Inc., Regional Chairman of the Employer's Support for the Guard and Reserve, a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Education Service Center, Region 20 and many more.

Mr. Hennessey has been very active in the Texas Cavaliers, serving as Commander in 1961 and King Antonio XLI in 1963. At the time of his death he was the oldest living King Antonio. In 1992 he received an award in the field of Human Relations from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Inc. He has been very active in Junior Achievement of South Texas, serving as a classroom consultant teaching economics for 15 years, mostly at Holmes High School and in SAISD. He was the recipient of the Junior Achievement of San Antonio Businessman of the Year in 1995. In May 2002 he received the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award in recognition of his support to the military. In addition he was a member of many local clubs and social organizations. He played tennis for many years, enjoyed snow skiing in Colorado with close friends, fishing at Port Aransas, collecting antique cars and has driven his 1930 Ford Model A in numerous Battle of Flowers Parades.

His community, in many ways has recognized Mr. Hennessey for his benevolence, his dedication, and his sound business judgment.

He was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Miriam "Baby" Wiseman Hennessey; sister Margaret (Peggy) Vincent and her husband, Brigadier General Casey Vincent USAF; and sister, Kathleen and her husband, Major General George Dany USAF; and brother-in-law, William Fleming of Pensacola, FL.

He is survived by one sister Phyllis Fleming of Pensacola FL; one son, Peter J Hennessey III and his wife, Lynne; two daughters, Carolyn Johnston and her husband, Roy, Reagan Thomas and her husband, Marvin; eight grandchildren, Peter J Hennessey IV and his wife, Claire, Clint Hennessey and his wife, Trish, Elizabeth Blackbird and her husband, David, Emily Whittington and her husband, Alex, Cindy Lutz and her husband, Chip, West Weilbacher and his wife, Melynda, Marvin Thomas III, and his wife, Erin and Miriam Thomas; thirteen great-grandchildren; niece, Mrs. Bartlett Cocke, Jr. and nephew, John W Winter, Jr. both of San Antonio and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are his grandsons and grandsons in law. Honorary pallbearers are Dr Claude Nabors, Harry Brusenhan, Tallaferro Cooper, John Jockusch, Jean McPherson, Ralph Lehr, Terry Thrift, and Lonny Koehl as well as the Texas Cavliers' Kings' Council.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary on McCullough Ave.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

THURSDAY

APRIL 30, 2015

11:00 A.M.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

510 BELKNAP PLACE

The Rev. Scott Kitayama and the Rev. Reagan Cocke officiating. A private interment will take place in Sunset Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio, TX 78212; The Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 6927, San Antonio, TX 78209; the Alamo Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, 226 N.W. Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78213; Junior Achievement of South Texas, 403 E. Ramsey, Ste #201, San Antonio, TX 78216 or the charity of your choice.