Joseph Hennessy, Malverne deputy mayor and trustee, dies

Joseph J. Hennessy, Malverne's deputy mayor and a devoted public servant to the village for over two decades, died yesterday of heart and respiratory complications. He was 72.

Hennessy served as Malverne’s deputy mayor for the past three and a half years, replacing James Callahan III upon his death in 2011. From 1997 through 2014, he was a village trustee, and was elected as mayor of Malverne from 1991 through 1995.

As the village’s budget director from 2007 through 2014, Hennessy helped the village achieve an AA+ bond rating - the highest in its history.

Among his other major accomplishments include leading a multi-village effort to reduce the cost of solid waste disposal for Malverne, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Valley Stream Freeport and Floral Park. Through this effort, he saved the village hundreds of thousands of dollars, officials say. He also successfully negotiated many contractual agreements for the village government, including those with the Department of Public Works, the Malverne Police Department, and the present-day New York American Water Company, to name a few.

“I considered Joe a friend, a colleague and someone whose deep commitment and passion to his Village of Malverne was admired by all,” said Assemblyman Brian Curran. “I join the Malverne community in grieving the loss of an outstanding gentleman.”

For numerous years, Hennessy acted as liaison between the village and the Malverne Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Malverne Fire Department and the Malverne Merchants and Professional Association.

Outside of village government, Hennessy was treasurer of the Malverne Historical and Preservation Society for over a decade, an active member of the Elks Club, and a generous donor to the Malverne Public Library. According to Rita Chiachiere, president of the library's board, “Joe was both a patron and friend of the Malverne Library. It was through his considerable generosity that we were able to establish the Children’s Reading Room. Generations of children, both past and future, are legacies of Joe’s kindness and support. We will all miss Joe's significant presence in Malverne."

In early July, Hennessy announced at a village board meeting that he was diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and would step down as deputy mayor should his health get in the way of his duties.

While he was mayor of Malverne and prior to it, Hennessy was a vice president and tax officer for Jamaica Savings Bank. He retired when the bank merged with North Fork Bank in 1999.