Richard Louis Haenni, World War II Navy Veteran, Dies At 89

Richard Louis Haenni passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at CareOne at Wall. He was 89.

Richard was born in Point Pleasant Beach on August 14, 1927, to Albert and Mae Haenni and spent most of his life in Point Pleasant.

He joined the Navy at age 17 and served during World War II. He earned his G.E.D. after his honorable discharge and started working for New Jersey Bell.

He started as a lineman, and worked up to repair and installation, and finally into the switching office, where his managerial talents became apparent. He was a self-taught computer programmer, and was tapped to teach employees from across the country the new electronic switching system.

After the breakup of the Bell system, he went on to work in upper management in both AT&T and Bell Labs. After his retirement, he was frequently called in as a consultant to help other countries update to more modern telephone systems. He was a sixty-year member and Past Master of Durand Lodge.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, his brother Albert, his sister Mary, and by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Kreiner Haenni, in 2009. He is survived by his three children Barbara Haenni, Susan Haenni Fleming, and Nancy Haenni Santa Lucia and her husband Matt. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Shayne Santa Lucia, Brittany Santa Lucia, Anthony Santa Lucia, Daniel Fleming and his wife Danielle LaRusso Fleming, Megan Fleming, and Brendan Fleming and his fiancée Stacy Ball, and four great-grandchildren, Madison Santa Lucia, Olivia Santa Lucia, Mia Santa Lucia, and Miles Fleming. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, who hold fond memories of times spent with their Uncle Dick.

There will be a private interment in the memorial garden at Saint-Mary's-by-the-Sea. A celebration of Richard's life will be held at a later date.

Image: Patch file photo.