Eneas Joseph Begley

Eneas was born on August 25, 1926 in the Bronx, New York. He joined the Navy at age 17 to serve in World War II in the Pacific Theatre on the island of Saipan as an Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class from 1944-1945. When the war ended and he married he moved to Daytona, Florida where he started out as the manager of a drive-in movie theater and obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stetson University through the GI bill. After obtaining his degree, he was eventually recalled to Service again with the Naval Reserves for the Korean War. Shortly thereafter he became employed with State Farm Insurance and worked in the Jacksonville Florida Regional office for many years before being transferred and promoted to Manager of Service and Systems in the State Farm Corporate Headquarters General Underwriting Department in Bloomington, Illinois and eventually retired in 1990 in that position. After retirement he enjoyed volunteering at the Bloomington Illinois Historical Society as a tour guide and also enjoyed some travel to Ireland and Portugal and spending time with family. He moved back to Jacksonville, Florida in 2002 and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church there.

Preceding Eneas Joseph Begley in death were his parents James Patrick Begley and Anna Mae Kelly. Also preceding him in death was his fraternal twin brother Thomas Begley, and his other siblings Kathleen Searby, James Begley, John Begley, Anna Mae Hill, Helen Duane, Marie Woods, and Joseph Begley.

He is survived by his wife Lorraine Doris Begley, his two sons Ralph Joseph Begley and Brian Joseph Begley and his daughter Dana Anne Begley.

A special thought of appreciation is due to Community Hospice who provided his in-home Hospice Care during the last several months of his life and his inpatient Community Hospice Care at the Hadlow Center whose staff ensured his comfort in his last few days on this earth.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at St. Joseph's Historic Old Church with Head Pastor Fr. Sebastian presiding, 4214 Loretto Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32223, followed by inurnment at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Cemetery.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL (904) 288-0025.