Obituary of Francis Hennessey MD

Francis B Hennessey MD, 88, of Sterling, Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2016 surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Francis and Catherine, and his granddaughter Marisa. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Margaret Mary (Sullivan), four daughters, Maureen (Ted) Flynn, Eileen (David) Ousterout, Kathleen Hennessey, Sheila (William) Masson, and four sons, Frank (Maria) Hennessey, Jim Hennessey, Steve Hennessey and Joe (Catherine) Hennessey and 10 grandchildren;  Danny (Meredith) Flynn, Colleen Flynn, Kassie Hennessey, Dr. David Ousterout (Jamie); Bill, Shauna and Joe Masson; and Kristen, Michael and Brian Hennessey;  one great granddaughter, Bella, and one great grandson, Liam ; his sister, Marie (Jim) Connelly; two brothers-in-law; John Sullivan and Martin (Dorothy) Sullivan, and two sisters-in-law; Midge Tobias and Patricia (Ronald) Lescinskas, and a large extended family of beloved nieces and nephews. At 16 years of age, Frank graduated from Boston College High School at the top of his class.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1946 and served as a Corporal and as the company clerk in the 622nd Military Police Battalion in Japan.  He was honorably discharged from the Army in March 1947 and attended Boston College, graduating in 1949.  In 1953 he graduated from Tufts Medical University magna cum laude and shortly after married the love of his life Margaret (Peg) Sullivan on June 20, 1953.  He completed his surgical residency at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Massachusetts and passed his examination for the National Board of Medical Examiners in 1954.  He trained in Orthopedics at Boston City Hospital, Massachusetts Hospital School for Crippled Children, Lakeville State Sanatorium and at the Lahey Clinic.  He was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In 1962 Frank and Peg moved with their young family to Endwell, New York where Frank practiced orthopedic surgery for the next 33 years.   Many memorable family vacations were spent golfing, fishing, and hosting extended family gatherings at the Hennessey's summer home in East Falmouth, Cape Cod.  Frank loved to unwind at the Cape in the company of family and friends.  In 1995 he retired and moved with Peg to Sterling Virginia.  He then volunteered at Signs and Wonders for Our Times, a Catholic apostolate in Herndon, VA run by his daughter Maureen.   He and Peg continued to enjoy spending their summers with family at the beach, often spending time with their children and grandchildren at their daughter Kathleen's home in Oceanview, Delaware.   Frank cherished his wife, family, church and country.  He was unfailingly generous with his time and medical expertise, helping and advising family and friends, and serving often as their unofficial "family doctor on call." Our entire family wishes to thank Dr.Shukla and all the doctors, nurses and staff at Reston Hospital and all the wonderful Hospice providers at Capital Caring and the health care providers from Right at Home who were so kind and compassionate to Frank and our family. Frank (Doc) lived a long, full and rich life.  He always kept the spirit of a child in his heart, reading the comics every day and often enjoying a dish of ice cream most nights.  His twinkling eyes and his teasing sense of humor were always present when he played games of cribbage, backgammon, "greedy" or other games with his family,  and those games were always accompanied by lots of laughter.  While living in upstate New York he served as one of the team doctors for the Broome County "Dusters", a minor league hockey team.  His sons loved going to the games with him and still talk about them.  An avid sports fan, Frank was an ardent supporter and defender of all Boston area professional sports teams.  He loved watching NFL games and discussing the plays by phone during the live broadcasts with his sons in Arizona.  A daily communicant, he was a devout Catholic and lived out his faith.  He had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart and Our Blessed Mother. The words that best describe him are Integrity, Humility, Service, and Love.  Surrounded by his family he passed on to his eternal reward in an extraordinary and peaceful manner.  We love him deeply and are incredibly grateful for our happy memories and the wonderful times with him.   In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The Tepeyac Family Center, 11135 Lee Highway, Fairfax Virginia 22030