Jack Hennessy, the dean of Bridgeport’s state legislative delegation prior to his defeat in 2022, a former Army Ranger who championed benefits for veterans, was suspicious of vaccines and supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s failed run for the presidency, has passed away at 73.
Hennessy served Bridgeport’s North End 127th State House District for 18 straight years and lost a contentious Democratic primary to then city Councilman Marcus Brown.
Hennessy came on the political scene about 20 years ago developing an alliance with powerhouse State Rep. and mayoral contender Chris Caruso who was often at odds with leadership of the local party. In 2006, Hennessy survived a challenge from City Councilman Tom McCarthy. In the years that followed Hennessy had little trouble winning reelection until his 2022 defeat.
For many years, like Caruso, he was a maverick legislator with an independent streak. He decried the number of City Council members on the municipal payroll arguing it created conflicts of interests with members of the local legislative body approving budgets that financed their pay checks. He introduced a cure in the state legislature but was unable to lobby enough votes for passage.
While in the State House Hennessy shepherded legislation to help veterans and secured millions of dollars in state support to help eradicate flooding issues in his district.
In recent years when Covid struck as a top-of-mind health issue, Hennessy expressed suspicion of vaccines largely on religious grounds in support of the Catholic church. He penned editorials about his suspicions and also aligned with anti-vaxxer Kennedy for media hits in Hartford. This led to a rift with House Speaker Matt Ritter an advocate of Covid vaccines who grappled with the health emergency as leader of the House.
Upon hearing the news of Hennessy’s death Ritter announced “My condolences to Jack’s family and loved ones. Jack served his country in the Army and our state in the legislature. Thank you for your commitment to service.”
Hennessy generally had a cordial relationship with Mayor Joe Ganim until 2022 when Ganim backed Brown. Hennessy then backed John Gomes in his failed attempt to oust Ganim.
“Hennessy served in the General Assembly for 18 years representing the 127th District covering the North End of Bridgeport,” Ganim issued in a statement. “As a veteran himself, Hennessy will be remembered for his work championing benefits and care for our men and women in uniform. Today, we remember and honor Jack for his public service.”
Hennessy graduated from Boston College with a bachelor of arts in English literature. He served in the U.S. Army from 1974-77 and attained the rank of Sergeant.
For most of his professional career he served as a truck deliveryman.
Rest in peace Jack Hennessy, thank you for your service for this country and state.
The gerrymandering candidate has done nothing for your district sad to say!
My prayers go out to you and your family.
RIP, Jack. You were an honest, diligent legislator and public servant and a good man. Sincere condolences to the Hennessy family and all others who were close to Jack.
My sincerest condolences to Jack’s family. Of the many accomplishments of Jack while he was serving in the state house was the passage of the legislation that helped close illegal massage parlors. The “ smut busters” gathered the support of legislators and citizens to testify in favor of regulating massage parlors to enable communities to close the “happy ending” massage parlors. Representative Hennessy was a licensed massage therapist and testified with a large group of other licensed massage therapist emphasizing how the illegal massage parlors harmed their business. I truly believe without his testimony, the legislation would not have passed. I had the honor of working with and for him on a few issues and found him to be absolutely a man of the people.
That’s right Jen, you are a charter member of Smut Busters!
Over coffee at Harborview Market, Realtor Stephanie Barns and I were discussing how the massage parlors were a detriment to the image and growth of Bridgeport. Stephanie proposed we put our Rolodex and heads together and see how we could legally close the business once and for all. It took a year and a half, well worth the wait. I think you were the one who called us the smut busters first. I wear that badge proudly.
I also tapped another moniker on the clean up contingent and then, oh, my the letters came!