James Michael Fennessy

James Michael Fennessy, Jr., 78, of Neillsville, WI died October 27, 2015 with his family at his side, after a battle with cancer. He was born May 11, 1937 in Orange, New Jersey, the son of James M. and Mabel (Mather) Fennessy. He grew up in Orange, New Jersey and graduated in 1955 from Orange High School. Jim met the love of his life, Joan, skiing at Lake Placid while attending Paul Smith College, in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. They married in Orange, New Jersey in 1958 while he attended the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. He graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wood Products Engineering. He belonged to the Pi Alpha Chi fraternity and also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Math & Science from Syracuse University. Upon graduation, they moved to Long Island, New York and then Rockford, Illinois where he was the Winnebago County Supervisor of Forest Preserves. In 1973 they moved to a small hobby farm in Neillsville, Wisconsin and Jim worked as a foreman and supervisor at Weyerhaeuser Company in Marshfield. After retiring from Weyerhaeuser, he drove for Abby Vans in Neillsville where he enjoyed meeting new folks and helping people.Jim was an avid reader, a sports fan and always up for a good debate. He loved his birds and outwitting the squirrels. Jim always enjoyed the time he spent at his little place in the country.He is survived by his wife, Joan (Murphy) Fennessy, of Neillsville, WI, six children, Cathy (Dan) Schmidt of Poynette, WI, Maureen (Tim) Harder of Hugo, MN, James Fennessy of Neillsville, WI, Patrick Fennessy of Milwaukee, WI, Ellie Keller of Neillsville, WI and Michael (Lea) Fennessy of Rio, WI, nine grandchildren plus Baby James due in February, 10 great grandchildren, and a sister, Patricia (Norman) Landsberg of Almeda, CA.He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Evelyn Grace Fennessy.Visitation will be held Saturday, October 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, WI.Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting James's family with Funeral arrangements.Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456