ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Seán Hennessy, Dún Aongus, Cork Road, Fermoy, County Cork. Seán passed away peacefully on June 28th 2022 in his 99th year in the loving care of his family. Beloved husband of the late Eileen (née Coughlan) and much-loved father of Margaret, Ann, Deirdre , the late Michael and their extended families. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family: sister Ann (Newbridge), grandchildren Brian, Susan, Tessa, Seán, Robin, Adam, Jacqui, Drew, Sarah, Deirdre, Michael and Stephen and 11 great-grandchildren, relatives of the Hennessy and Coughlan families, neighbours, Defence Forces colleagues and friends.
Rest In Peace
Seán Hennessy was born in the parish of Clonmult, five miles north of Middleton, County Cork, on 11th October 1923. He enlisted as a Private in 1942 during the Emergency and was awarded a cadetship with 18 Cadet Class in December 1943. Seán was commissioned on 12th September 1946 into the Construction Corps and initially served in the Depot, Curragh Camp. He transferred to the Cavalry Corps in June 1948 and was posted to 2 Motor Squadron. Seán married Eileen Coughlan in Cabra on 25th September 1951 and was posted to 1 Motor Squadron, Fermoy in April 1957. There he held a wide variety of appointments culminating as Squadron Commander from 1971 to 1978. During Seán’s time with the Squadron it set the ‘Gold Standard’ in shooting competitions, both at Command and All Army level. Overseas Seán served as Section Commander, Armoured Car Group, 35 Battalion ONUC from January to December 1961, as 2 I/C and Technical Officer, Armoured Car Group, 39 Battalion ONUC from April to October 1963, and as 2 I/C, Armoured Car Group, 6 Infantry Group UNFICYP from April to October 1963. On promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel he served in staff appointments in the Southern Command and in Defence Forces Headquarters. Seán retired from the Defence Forces on 11th February 1983.
Reposing at Ronayne’s Funeral Home, Fermoy on Thursday 6.00.pm. to 7.30.pm. followed by removal to Saint Patrick’s Church, Fermoy. Requiem Mass on Friday at 12 noon with funeral afterwards to Kilcrumper new cemetery. No flowers please, donations in lieu, if desired, to Marymount Hospice Homecare Team. https://www.marymount.ie/get-involved/donate/single-donation/
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Seán’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/lft.-col.-s%C3%A9an-hennessy-fermoy-cork/500362
