George David Hennessy

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of George David Hennessy at the Moncton Hospital, on Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 at the age of 97. He was born the son of late George H and late Nora (Weaver) Hennessy on May 4th, 1928, in Howard, NB.

Raised in Howard, George started working at a young age on his family land. He was a cook at the local lumber and fishing camps when he was just 15 years old. George had a great work ethic which carried him through life. At the age of 18, he met Freda Underhill, the love of his life. They married in 1946 before relocating to Moncton, NB in 1950 and it was here that they put down roots and made a home. During the early days in Moncton, George held various jobs at Modern Construction, delivered milk for General Dairies, and drove for Grey Bus Line before joining the Moncton City Police Force in 1956. George held a fulfilling police career until his retirement as Superintendent in 1989 after 33 years of service.

George was community spirited and won various awards for his volunteer work. He held a position on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Moncton, canvased for Canadian Cancer Society and Heart & Stoke Foundation, was a member of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, was a representative for Crime Stoppers and spent many years as a volunteer at the Capitol Theatre.

In 1990, George found a true passion for boxing at F.I.S.T.S. Boxing Club where he spent the next 30 years serving in various capacities such as coach, official, fundraiser, administrator, maintenance, ring assembly and judge. He participated in the Canada Winter Games in 2003 as a NB technical Representative on behalf of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association. In 2017, George received the JJ Doiron Sr. Legacy Award from the National Boxing Authority for his distinguished and longstanding service to the community and in 2018 he was inducted in the Moncton Sports Wall of Fame for his lifelong contribution to Boxing in the community. He remained a coach at the club until the age of 94.

He had many past times such as oil painting, wood working, gardening, judo, clogging, ATVing, and canoeing, and tinkering in his barn. He loved nature, bird watching, fly tying, salmon fishing, and watching the Miramichi river.

George lived life to the fullest. He was loyal to his family and friends and was generous with this time. He would always lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it whether it was labor or someone looking for advice. He was a mentor. He was humble about his accomplishments. He would often say that “everyday is a birthday”. He always wanted to look nice and thought he was a “cool dude”. He liked to play a joke or have a hoedown and always had a smile on his face. He truly was one of a kind.

George will be sadly missed his by daughters June Brown and Jill Hennessy (Joel Rinzler), granddaughter Erin Brown, grandson Brian Brown (Karine Arseneault), brother Laurence Hennessy (Helen), sisters in law Faye Brophy, Ween Somerville (Woodie) and Lyona Underhill, as well as numerous niece and nephews. George was predeceased by his loving wife of 76 years, Freda (Underhill) Hennessy and 7 siblings Robert (Doris), Weaver (Jeannine), Leonard (Theresa), Annie Colford (James), Evelyn Hennessy (Dave MacDonald), Margaret Tremblay (Roland) and Noreen Hennessy.

While George and Freda made a life on North St. in Moncton, they were never happier then when they were spending their time on the banks of the Miramichi River in Keenan, NB at the log cabin that George built by hand.

The family would like to thank the staff of Briarlea (off the Gorge Rd.) for caring for George the past 8 months as well as the 6th floor Ortho Dept. of the Moncton Hospital. An extra special thank you to Iris Colford for her love and kindness to George as well as the community at F.I.S.T.S. Boxing for your support and friendship.

There will be a visitation at Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton, NB (506-858-1995) on Friday, July 4th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, July 7th, 2025 at St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church in Blackville, NB at 1:00 pm, under the direction of Northumberland Funeral Home, Miramichi (506-622-7741).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George’s name to a charity of choice.