Forest Hills Mourns Loss Of Former CB6 Chair Joe Hennessy

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — Former Queens Community Board 6 Chair Joseph Hennessy died Thursday of complications related to the new coronavirus. He was 82.

Hennessy spent 23 years chairing Queens Community Board 6, which covers Forest Hills and Rego Park, until he was voted out in September 2019.

He also served as president of the Forest Hills Co-op and a board member of Queens Community House, according to the Queens Chronicle.

Hennessy's dedication to his community earned him a proclamation last month from the Queens borough president's office.

"Joseph Hennessy has dedicated decades to strengthening #ForestHills and #RegoPark. CB6 of #Queens took a moment tonight with some of Joe's family — including his daughter, Sheila, and his granddaughter — to salute his tremendous service and impact in the Borough of Families." pic.twitter.com/hQa0saTgEL
— Office of the Queens Borough President (@QueensBP2020) March 12, 2020

"He was a really strong leader with a really long record in the community," Queens Community Board 6 Chair Alexa Weitzman, his successor, told Patch. "I'm grateful that I was on the board with him being chair, and I'm grateful that we were able to actually publicly acknowledge him last month with a number of proclamations from local officials."

Hennessy is survived by his wife of 57 years, three daughters and eight grandchildren, according to the Queens Chronicle.

"Joseph Hennessy was a true giant who cannot be replaced and the indelible mark that he left behind will not soon be forgotten," City Council Member Karen Koslowitz said.