Thomas Hennessy

Thomas James Hennessy, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Nov. 7, 1924, in St. Joseph, Mo., to John Joseph and Daisy Dolly Tate Hennessy. He and Bonnie Jean Belshe were married May 15, 1949, in Willow Springs, Mo.

Thomas served in the Navy as an electrician during World War II on the USS California battleship.

He attended Drury College and Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., and received an honorary degree from SMS. He worked for Southwestern Bell for 43 years, and retired as district engineer in 1990. He also maintained his electrician certification.

Thomas lived in Cape Girardeau since 1968. He was a member of Abbey Road Christian Church, Telephone Pioneers, Eagles Aerie 3775, VFW Post 3838, Elks Lodge 639 and the Masonic Temple in Springfield.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Jean Hennessy of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Lisa Lee Hennessy Denman of Farmington, Mo., and Robin Rae Hennessy of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Gerard Tate Hennessy of Springfield; four grandchildren, Ashlee Denman of Orlando, Fla., Taylor and Karter Denman of Farmington and Travis Fellows of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Joseph Hennessy Jr.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Rodger Kiepe officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.