Even in death, John Hennessey is full of surprises.
Many people at his funeral this morning in St John’s Catholic Church heard for the first time that he was good mates with veteran Channel 9 reporter Robert Penfold.
The former deputy mayor of Campbelltown met Penfold and another local media legend, photographer Norm Campbell, at the Club Bar of Lacks Hotel, run in those days by the Marsden family.
Indeed Jim Marsden, who obviously spent some time in that hotel when he was youngster, read out a magnificent eulogy to his friend of 60 years, describing him as “icon of Campbelltown’’.
Mr Marsden noted that John Hennessey’s funeral was being held exactly 10 years “to the day, in this same place, of the funeral of another Campbelltown icon, my brother John’’.
Hennessey was 80 when he passed away last week in the company of his best mate of the past 20 years, former council colleague and mayor, Les Patterson.
Mr Patterson said his mate’s last wishes were that he would organise the funeral.
The editor of the Macarthur Chronicle, Mandy Perrin, said in her eulogy that John Hennessey’s legend extended beyond Campbelltown.
He had organised very successful memorial services for Nelson Mandela and also the victims of 9/11 because she knew some local people wanted to grieve for them.
Mr Hennessey was also famous for the rose garden and annual tribute to those who died in the Granville train disaster.
A clearly emotional State Member for Granville, Julia Finn, attended this morning’s service, alongside her colleague, the Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren.
The service was presided by Father Rick McCann and was attended by current and former Campbelltown councillors, including Aaron Rule.
The Member for Macarthur, Russell Matheson, was also there, along with town identities like Mairi Rutledge and John and Jan McLaughlin.
Mr Hennessey was buried at Forest Lawn cemetery and a wake will be held this afternoon at Ingleburn RSL, his and mate Les Patterson’s watering hole of recent years.
John MP Hennessey, R.I.P.
excellent piece mate