James "Jim" Hennessy, Jr.

**********MASS HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020, AT 11:00 A.M.**********

James “Jim” Hennessy, Jr., age 79, of Ortonville, MN, formerly of Graceville, MN, died on February 3, 2020, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, February 11, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church with a time of sharing beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass on Thursday. Father Brian Oestreich will celebrate the Mass, and burial will take place in Graceville Consolidated Cemetery.

James Paul Hennessy, Jr. was born on January 12, 1941, in Morris, MN, to James, Sr. and Elizabeth (Ritter) Hennessy. On August 30, 1958, Jim was united in marriage to Virginia “Ginny” Hills at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Beardsley, MN. Jim and Ginny lived in the Graceville, MN, area until they moved to California in 1959 to be where the job market was more lucrative.

In 1974, the family moved from California to Graceville, MN, where Jim owned a cabinet shop and did carpentry work. Jim and Ginny moved to Chisago City, MN, in 1986, where Jim worked for the State of Minnesota at the correctional facility in Lino Lakes, MN. They moved back to Graceville in 2003 to retire but did take on a custodial position at the Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville for five years to “ease” into retirement.

On top of being a very talented cabinet maker and carpenter, Jim was a volunteer firefighter in Graceville for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing in his spare time. Jim also loved bowling and going to the casino to try his luck. Activities that Jim enjoyed with his family were traveling and camping. Jim took so much pride in his family and cherished all the time he could spend with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jim was a perfectionist at everything he did. He always said, “If it isn’t done right, it isn’t worth doing.” He took much pride in the appearance of their home and yard and loved potting flowers in the spring!  Jim also honored the American flag and always flew it proudly at their home. Jim was very proud of his Irish heritage!  He always enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Graceville, surrounded by family and friends!  He proudly pulled the Hennessy family float in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year!

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Ginny; his children: Rick (Jill) Hennessy of Graceville, MN; Jim (Evelyn) Hennessy of Ramona, CA; Nancy (Mike) Athey of Ortonville, MN; and Shelly (Bill) Gacke of Sartell, MN; ten grandchildren: Josh (Lisa) Hennessy, Justin Hennessy, Rhonda Hennessy, Jordon (Brietta) Hennessy, Michiko Hennessy, Kimiko Hennessy, Dillon (Jenna) Schlimme, Abby Schlimme, Brian (Lexi) Gacke, and Leah (Tyler) Zak; great-grandchildren: Andrew, Tessa, Gunner, Tucker, Isaac, Makaya, Logan, Bryson, James, Finn, and number 11 baby boy on the way; sister, Cheryn Reeves of Lake Charles, LA; sisters-in-law: Audrey Opitz, Arlene (Willie) Deutsch, Mary Ewert, Joyce Bogenrief, Linda Sibson, Patricia (John) Stoick, Carol (Dean) Palmer, Bonnie (Jerry) Hendricks; and brothers-in-law: Larry Hills and Dale Sykora.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob (Helen) Needham; sister, Eleanor “Tooty” (Milo) Zahnow; brother-in-law, Jim Reeves; parents-in-law, Ora and Hazel Hills; brothers-in-law: Donald (Sally) Hills, Robert Hills, John Hills, and Kenneth (Alma) Hills; and sisters-in-law: Dorothy (Robert) O’Leary and Kathleen Sykora.