Photo provided by the family
Former Honeoye Falls-Lima High School Drama Club advisor and the artistic director of the drama shows and spring musicals John Hennessey passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Hennessey was born on September 19, 1958, in Terre Haute, IN, to the late George T. and Joan (Lenz) Hennessey.
The Hennesseys spent several years moving around the country, finally settling in Henrietta, NY, where he grew up with his three brothers: Dave, Paul (Donna), and Jim (Chris). Several years after graduating from St. Bonaventure University, he moved to New York City, where he met Stuart Ira Soloway, the man who would become his husband.
After several years on their beloved Roosevelt Island, they moved to Pittsford in 2002. It was there that Hennessey reconnected with his Pittsford Musicals family, appearing in and directing many productions. He had played King Arthur in the 1985 production of Camelot. Hennessey later took a position with the Honeoye Falls-Lima school district where he directed their high school plays and musicals and advised their Drama Club for several years.
He loved his family, his friends, musical theatre, dogs, elephants, Christmas, and cruising.
His survivors also include his nephews Mike (Heather), Kevin (Chelsey Franz), and Kyle, and his niece, Kate.
There will not be a funeral, but there will be a Celebration of his life at a date to be announced in the near future.
Donations in his memory can be made to Pittsford Musicals, PO Box 362, Pittsford, NY 14534, or Lollypop Farm. Arrangements are by Miller Funeral Home in Henrietta.
A longer article will appear in next week’s Sentinel newspaper.
