David E. Hennessy was born May 30, 1931 in Baldwin, NY to Thomas and Mary (nee Marsala) Hennessy. He died December 19, 2020 at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights, IL. In 1953, after only 3 years, and while participating on the wrestling and track teams he graduated with a B.S. degree in Education from Cortland State Teachers College. From 1953-1958 Dave became Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy and was stationed on the Submarine, Amberjack. He represented the US Marine Corps. wrestling team in the 1956 Olympic Trials in Los Angeles, California. He received his Master’s Degree in chemistry and natural sciences from Cornell University/SUNY Cortland in 1962 while working as a teacher of Elementary Science, via television. This was the first ETV program of its kind in the state of New York.
He was granted an assistantship at Indiana University in 1962, where he studied behavior science, audio visual communications, and film production. In 1963 he became Director of the Training Communications Department at Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana.
Dave took his family on a one year adventure to remember. A sailboat trip down the West Coast, through the Panama Canal, and up the East Coast to Annapolis, Maryland.
In 1967 he founded the David E. Hennessy Company, a Training Consulting Firm. His work with the Petroleum Industry took him and his wife to the far corners of the world, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Indonesia, Singapore, and Nigeria.
At the age of 67, Dave went on a 1000 mile cycling journey from his home in Nashville, Indiana to his alma mater, SUNNY Cortland College, in Upstate New York as a fundraiser for scholarships.
Dave was a long time member of the Rotary Club of Brown County in Nashville, IN.
David is survived by his wife Mildred Jewel (nee Boyer) Lettelleir Hennessy; his daughters Nancy (David) Sargent and Cindy (Thomas) Nelson; grandchildren Jemila Taylor, Khair-un-nisa Burkert and Nicole (Sean) Regan; his great grandchildren Marabelle Burkert and Penelope Regan; his step grandchildren Tim (Susan) Lettelleir, Jennifer (Billy) Escobar, Abraham (Jennifer) Lettelleir, Grant Rutledge, Ginger Hall, Jessie Hall and Chelsea Hall and by his sisters, Maryann (late Duane) Gibson and June (John) Gilliland.
He was preceded in death by his brother Thomas Hennessy; his step children Tim Lettelleir and Holly Hall and by his parents.
A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the Duncan Cemetery in Brown County at 1:30 p.m. A celebration of Dave’s life will be held Monday, May 31 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Seasons Lodge Convention Venue.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Brown County Citizen’s Scholarships Endowment Fund. This endowment fund was founded by Dave and has enriched the lives of so many bright young men and women pursuing higher education.
Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home in Nashville is in charge of local arrangements.
Online condolences may be given at <a href="http://www.bondmitchellfuneralhome.com/" target="_blank">www.BondMitchellFuneralHome.com</a>
