Obituary
John James (Jack) Hennighan, age 92, died of natural causes, peacefully at home on October 3, 2022, in Port Orange, Florida.
Jack is survived by his daughter Elizabeth (B.J.) J. Hennighan, of Port Orange FL., his grandson John Hennighan of Port Orange, FL., his granddaughter Tara (Chris) Wagenbaugh, two great-grandchildren Logan and Lindsey of South Daytona FL. and brother Joseph (Mary Ann) Hennighan, of Lexington, SC . He is preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth (Betty) H. Hennighan, son John J. Hennighan, son Karl M. Hennighan, and sister Jane (Oscar) Walling.
Jack was born on October 25, 1929, in Wilks-Barre, PA., to parents John and Jane Hennighan.
After graduating from Cranford High School, (N.J.) 1949, he joined the Coast Guard and was active during the Korean War.
Jack graduated from Mississippi State University in 1960 with a degree in mathematics.
In 1963 he moved to Northfield, N.J., and accepted a position as a computer systems analyst at National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC), where he worked for more than 35 years.
Jack was a great family man and a loving father. He married Betty on April 1, 1956, and the couple had three children together. Sadly, Betty passed on November 18, 2016.
In 1997 Jack and Betty retired to Lakeland, FL., where they enjoyed an active community, swimming daily, golfing, billiards, regular trips to Orlando Parks (Disney) and volunteering at the local Aviation museum.
Jack was a social, active man who was deeply involved in his children’s and community activities, including Boy Scout leader, baseball coach, and Mainland Regional High School Band “Father”. He was an active member of the Lions, and The American Legion Post 295 in Northfield, N.J. where he was Commander for seven years.
His family and friends will always remember him as a kind, generous, intelligent, humorous, loving person.
A burial is scheduled for October 18, 2022, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5524 US-1, Mims. FL, at 1:00pm, Lane B.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jack’s life.
I knew Jack was not answering his phone for some time and feared he was not well. I met Jack at FAAs NAFEC Building 270 in 1977 when I first moved to New Jersey. Jack and Betty were great friends of my and my wife Louise. Jack and I drove up to Syracuse, NY to see Mississippi State play in the Carrier Dome. We rang the cowbell in his "game room" a few times too.
I will pass the word along to Jack's other New Jersey friends.
Jack and Logan
Jack and Betty 2015 Tara and Chris's wedding