Remembering the Fallen: OCFA Engineer Greg Hennessey

(RSM, CA) -- Greg and Deanna truly shared the love of a lifetime.

With you I never wonder, Will you be there for me? With you I never wonder, You’re the right one for me.

In July 1991, American rock band FireHouse released their smash glam metal, power ballad “Love of a Lifetime.” To read the lyrics, you would think songwriters penned this piece just for them. Just a boy. Just a girl. Both from the historic East Coast oystering and fishing village of Freeport, New York – located snugly in between long canals on the South Shore of Long Island.

In fact, they met as children. She was 8. He a year-older. Both from close-knit families. Living just houses apart on the same street. But growing up in kind.

GROWING UP IN FREEPORT, LONG ISLAND: HOME OF AMERICAN BANDLEADER GUY LOMBARDO (AULD LANG SYNE 1947)

Playing tag, climbing trees and smelling the fresh salty-air as white seagulls soared high above.

Mary and Michael Tucci reared their two daughters, Deanna and Michele, in the sleepy Freeport community in the 1960s/1970s. They were a close knit Italian family where Michael was very much the family patriarch.

Just three houses down lived the Hennessey family: James and Virginia, and their beloved only child, a son – Gregory Joseph Hennessey. A beautiful blonde-haired little boy with dancing blue-eyes.

“We used to walk home from the bus stop together,” recalled Deanna recently. “We were kids growing up together. We used to tease each other and just have fun.”

Deanna was a tomboy, she said. She never saw any divisional lines between what the boys could do and what she too wanted to do.

“It was a small, close-knit community in the midst of this fishing village,” Deanna said. “It was the kind of neighborhood where the kids would grow up and move into their parent’s house and keep the generations going. Everyone knew everyone.”

And the call of the fire tones was one answered for decades by town volunteers.

“Greg’s Dad was a Freeport Fire Department firefighter and so were his brothers,” Deanna said. “Greg eventually became a Freeport firefighter too. It was in his blood. His early childhood was all about the culture of being a fireman. Serving as a fireman in Freeport was built on a lot of pride and honor.”

‘LADDER’S UP’

The call to the town’s finest: town citizens who stepped forward to serve in the deeply entrenched, time-honored tradition of serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Freeport Fire Department.

To get an understanding of the proud heritage firefighting plays in Freeport – a settlement since the 1640s, take a few minutes to watch Paramount Pictures - Sports In Action "Ladders Up" (1965) (https://youtu.be/haRNQlBvH_w). The film was shot in Freeport, Long Island and narrated by famed American sportscaster Chris Schenkel.

“What red blooded boy doesn’t sometimes dream of being a fireman? It’s where the action is! Well, thousands of volunteers do realize this dream!....It’s this balance between town pride and love of adventure that makes the best volunteer!”

SHARED SMILES BETWEEN A BOY AND A GIRL

As time passed, the boy and the girl grew up. But they still shared a sense of familiarity with one another. A shared bond of early life’s influences. From back in the day when the kids on the street played outside until the street lights came on or helping one another get back up after falling down and scraping a knee.

“Once my Mother and I were talking about the local boys in town – and which ones caught my eye,” Deanna laughed, recalling the memory from when she was a teen of dating age. “My Mom said, ‘You know, that Greg Hennessey is attractive!”

And two weeks later, Deanna recalled that conversation as a shy Greg Hennessey asked if she would go out with him on a date as they walked home from the bus stop.

“We would walk home with a group of kids. But he and I always seemed to walk by ourselves somewhat,” Deanna said. “He turned and asked me what I was doing on Saturday and if I wanted to go to the movies with him…he was so shy. It was very sweet.”

Greg was a good-natured boy who followed rules. Deanna adventurous and never hesitated to wrestle with the boys on the block.

“I told him, ‘Yes, I would like that,’” Deanna recalled.

And their friendship turned to romance.

THIS KISS

The young boy with blonde-hair and the little girl with rich dark-brown hair grew up. And that spark they had as children grew as they did.

“He was tall and very attractive,” Deanna remembered. “He was my first boyfriend. He was my soul mate.”

They both knew. And they enjoyed their carefree days on Long Island growing up on the Eastern Seaboard of the great U.S.

That first date? He took Deanna to the movies. They saw Cheaper to Keep Her, the 1980 comedy starring Mac Davis, and afterwards enjoyed more time together at East Coast favorite— Friendly’s Ice Cream Shop.

It’s the way you love me, It’s a feeling like this, It’s centrifugal motion, It’s perpetual bliss

“It took him two weeks to give me a kiss,” Deanna giggled, recalling vividly that special moment even years later.

“We were at the same high school and he would walk me to my classes,” Deanna said. “I remember Greg would kiss me goodbye at my science class and the teacher would tease us.”

“My connection to him was always comfortable and smooth,” said Deanna. “He was my soul mate. We shared the same back story.”

“He was my best friend,” she said.

And surely, she was his.

THE LOVE OF A LIFETIME

The Freeport Fire Department played a critical role in Greg’s young life: his father and his uncles were all volunteer firefighters. And one day, he joined their ranks. First a truck company. Next, hose companies.

“The fire service was in his blood. It was who he was,” Deanna said.

They went through high school together and next college. She was in her senior year still in Freeport and Greg pursued a Marketing and Management Degree at a local New York University.

They remained steadily together during this time. Eventually, Deanna graduated from high school and pursued her own academic goals at college.

At a time when many high school sweethearts painfully part ways because University or career goals take them on different life paths: Deanna and Greg remained strong.

THE PROPOSAL

It was 1984. President Ronald Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush were in the White House. Michael Jackson’s hair caught fire during the filming of a Pepsi commercial in January. Johnny Carson hosted the 56th Academy Awards in April where Terms of Endearment won Best Picture. The 1984 Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles and American basketball player LeBron James was born on December 30th.

And in November of 1984 -- the shy boy from Freeport, NY -- who fell in love with the girl that played just as hard as the boys did, asked her to marry him....

...and she smiled and said yes!

“We were sitting by a lake in Oceanside, NY when he proposed to me,” Deanna smiled as she remembered that special memory. “He did ask my father for permission. He came over to my house to talk to my parents. I went to my room. And they gave their Blessing.”

“Greg got on the CB and told one of my cousins we were officially engaged and to meet us in town for drinks,” Deanna said. “The ring was gold with a round diamond. However, later on, he replaced the diamond with a heart-shaped diamond.”

I guess the time was right for us to say, We’d take our time and live our lives, Together day by day, We’ll make a wish and send it on a prayer, We know our dreams can all come true, With love that we can share

THE WEDDING

The wedding was very special.

“It was an exciting time,” Deanna recalled. “I looked at the bride magazines. I wanted a simple wedding. I wanted kids there -- something fun.”

Greg and Deanna married at her parents’ home in Arizona. She wore a Gone With the Wind type dress and hat.

“They had a nice property,” Deanna reminisced. “We had a DJ. My younger sister sang. We both didn’t want anything huge.”

CHASING DREAMS SIDE BY SIDE

I don't have much money, But boy if I did, I'd buy a big house where We both could live

Following their nuptials – and both Greg and Deanna each having secured personal educational milestones, the couple agreed to settle in Southern California.

Greg obtained a lucrative job offer from JC Penny in a management position in Orange County, Ca, and Deanna was pursuing her own career goals.

Greg’s parents had moved to California and Deanna’s parents were now in Arizona. But Greg and Deanna were the first in their families to lay down roots in Orange County.

“It was just us,” Deanna recalled.

And together, the boy and the girl built a rich, beautiful life.

LIFE IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA

The young couple had jobs and now needed a very special place to call home – a place special enough to match their nautical and nurtured roots of Freeport

“We were driving around south Orange County -- but it wasn’t built up at all,” Deanna recalled of the area back in the 1980s.

Eventually, they settled on a new community nestled in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in the eastern portion of south Orange County.

It was an exciting time. They had it all. They had each other: a new life, new jobs and even new babies on the horizon.

But something – something, was missing.

A RETURN TO THE FIRE LIFE

While everything they dreamed of seemed to be coming true -- Deanna sensed something was wrong with Greg’s spirit.

That young boy she met as a child, always outdoors. Running. Wrestling. Firefighting. Fellowship. Brotherhood. Community. Country. Pride. Passion. Purpose.

Was now in an “in-door” job.

“He said, ‘I think I want to go and volunteer,’” Deanna recalled. Greg told her was looking to volunteer as a Paid-Call Firefighter for the Orange County Fire Authority.

Her heart dropped. She knew what fighting fires meant. Especially for a boy who was raised in the New York fire service culture

It was all different now, she thought. They had this new life together. He had a perfect job. Safe. Clean. Corporate. Consistent work 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nights and weekends off. Good pay. No thick black smoke. No raging flames. No traumas to haunt him.

But the call to being a firefighter comes from above, and then ultimately, from within. You can’t stop that. You just tell them to be safe and say a silent Prayer for the boys on the line on the ground and in the air.

Deannna ultimately knew this.

“I remember watching him fight fires in New York. Fire attacks were so aggressive,” she recalled. “Greg was trying to calm my fears. He convinced me to come with him to an OCFA volunteer firefighting meeting to see what it all about…”

“And I wound up signing up with him,” Deanna smiled.

THE COUPLE THAT PLAYS TOGETHER

Soon, Deanna graduated from OCFA’s Paid-Call Academy and Greg graduated from OCFA’s Firefighter Academy for career firefighters.

“We pinned each other’s badges on,” Deanna smiled.

Their home became happier. And soon, the patter of little footsteps followed.

DADDY’S LITTLE BOY(S)

Life seemed more settled in the Hennessey home now that the fire life had returned to their hearts.

For Greg, it had never left.

“He was so much happier being with the fire department,” said Deanna. “We had our first son, Ryan, who was Daddy’s little boy. Greg was such a good, hands-on Dad. He and Ryan played trucks. Greg was just ecstatic to have a son.”

They would eventually have another son, Brandon.

Greg was on duty when Deanna’s water broke during her first pregnancy with Ryan.

“He was working and his pager was going off,” said Deanna. “One of the guys heard it and told him his pager was going off!”

Deanna laughs recalling the memory.

Greg loved being an OCFA Apparatus Engineer and mentoring the OCFA Fire Explorers, she said.

They had it all.

But life, some say – isn’t always fair.

‘YOU ALWAYS PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THAT CALL’

On January 20, 2014, Greg’s beautiful and gifted life very sadly ended. And while Deanna admits she always prepared herself for ‘that call’, when it came, it took her own breathe away…

The following official releases from January 20, 2014 outline the very sad turn life made for the Hennessey family,

ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY, JANUARY 20TH, 2014

Irvine, CA – It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to announce the passing of Fire Apparatus Engineer Greg Hennessey today. He was found unconscious by crews at Fire Station 45 in Rancho Santa Margarita at 9:40 a.m. in full cardiac arrest. The crews on scene immediately rendered care and Greg was transported to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo where he was pronounced dead at approximately 10:20 a.m., said OCFA Captain PIO Steve Concialdi.

Hennessey was a dedicated fire apparatus engineer with more than 24 years of service. He also was the fire explorer post advisor at Fire Station 45 (Rancho Santa Margarita) and 31 (Mission Viejo), where he mentored young teenagers in their quest to become firefighters, Concialdi said.

“Today we have lost a valuable family member,” said OCFA Fire Chief Keith Richter. “Greg was a respected engineer and indispensable mentor to the young lives that he helped. We are assisting the Hennessey family during this difficult time, and appreciate the support from those around us.”

Hennessey began his career with the OCFA in 1990, and worked as a firefighter for 11 years until he promoted to engineer in July 2001. Everyone who knew Greg said he was a committed engineer and was always available to provide his time to help those who asked, Concialdi wrote.

Hennessey was 49 years old and is survived by his mother Virginia, wife Deanna who he married in May of 1988, and his two sons Ryan (22) and Brandon (19). Hennessey was an Eagle Scout, who was extremely proud of his sons who achieved this high award as well. He will be sorely missed by his friends and family. Please keep the Hennessey family in your thoughts and prayers through these very difficult times.

ORANGE COUNTY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL 3631 ORANGE COUNTY IAFF, JANUARY 20TH, 2014

(RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA) -- Fighting fire was Greg Hennessey’s passion.

He was a volunteer firefighter in New York, but tried to leave the profession when his wife told him she was scared. He began working at JC Penney after the family moved to California.

It didn’t take long, however, before Hennessey realized what his calling was.

“He just wasn’t happy,” his wife, Deanna Hennessey, said Monday. “He got involved again, and within a year he was a firefighter again.”

For the next 24 years, he worked for the Orange County Fire Authority until his career, and life, suddenly ended Monday morning.

Hennessey was working a shift at OCFA Station 45, 30131 Aventura, when he was found unconscious by his crew at 9:40 a.m., Capt. Steve Concialdi said. Members of the crew performed CPR and then transported him to Mission Hospital.

He was pronounced dead at 10:20 a.m. He was 49.

“Today we lost a valuable family member,” Fire Chief Keith Richter said. “Greg was a respected engineer and indispensable mentor to the young lives that he helped.”

Ten firefighters were at the station at the time.

Hennessey was an apparatus engineer, driving the fire truck in Rancho Santa Margarita. He also worked as an advisor for fire explorers in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, mentoring teenagers who were thinking about a career as a firefighter, Orange County Fire Authority spokeswoman Lynette Round said.

“He wasn’t one to garner a lot of attention, he was really behind the scenes,” she said.

“He worked as a mentor for aspiring firefighters for the last eight years,” Concialdi said. “He also taught in the apparatus engineer academy.”

“That was a passion of his,” Concialdi said. “He was committed to teaching new firefighters.”

Hennessey began his career with Orange County Fire Authority in 1990, where he worked as a firefighter for 11 years.

In 2001, he was promoted to engineer.

“He was probably one of the most conscientious firefighters I’ve ever met, very, very excellent and competent at his job, well-liked by the firefighters, really a leader among OCFA firefighters,” said OCFA Division Chief Greg McKeown, who attended the fire academy in Rancho Santa Margarita with Hennessey in 1990.

“It’s definitely a blow to all of us because it was very unexpected,” he said.

At his Trabuco Canyon home, Hennessey is remembered as a caring father and a neighbor.

Donna Dipietrantonio, who lives across from the Hennesseys on High Country Drive, said the family supported her when she lost her husband.

“(Greg Hennessey) always kept an eye when I wasn’t home,” Dipietrantonio said. “He and his family invited me to their Christmas, Thanksgiving and birthday parties, whenever there were celebratory occasions.

He was a really good friend, always willing to help me.”

Deanna Hennessey said her husband always wished to be remembered as a “simple man,” who treasured basic things in life and lived for his family.

“I’m just numb right now,” she said. “It’s hard.”

Greg Hennessey is survived by his wife and sons Ryan, 22, and Brandon, 19, according to the statement.

Hennessey, as well as his two sons, were Eagle Scouts, Concialdi said.

“We are assisting the Hennessey family during this difficult time, and appreciate the support from those around us,” Richter said in the statement.

FIRE FAMILY TAKES CARE OF THEIR OWN

In the aftermath, OCFA Firefighters stepped in to help Deanna and the boys. Ryan is now 27 and Brandon is 24.

Deanna recalls the numbness of that first year. That first week. That first day. With the press hounding, pounding on their door, OCFA kept the world at bay for her.

“OCFA was there for us that first year, it was just so critical for us,” said Deanna. “And they continue to be there for us.”

Fire wives aren’t called “Fire Strong” for a reason. They are truly some of the strongest women around. Deanna is the epitome of a ‘Fire Strong, Fire Wife.’ But she’s still human. And Greg’s loss is still larger than life for her and their boys. Even five years later.

‘HE TAUGHT US TO BE STRONG’

“He taught us to be strong,” Deanna said. “He taught me how to stand on my own two feet. Fire wives have to be strong – but with his passing, the rug was pulled out from underneath us.”

It has been a painful walk without him, she won’t lie. They don’t have all the answers yet. On how to live their lives without Greg. How could she. Why should she.

“He is still around. I can feel him with us,” she said. “In the beginning, when I saw the Engine or Truck, it was hard. But now it’s comforting. It’s Greg. It’s who he was. Who he was always meant to be.”

“Greg had such a strong work ethic,” Deanna said. “Our boys have picked that up. And Greg taught us to travel, to camp, to see the world around us.”

‘I HOPE I MAKE YOU PROUD’

Deanna knows in her heart what Greg would want her to do, even without him here physically. To go on living the life they discovered so much joy in back in Freeport.

A life of dreams. Possibilities. Moving forward, but keeping your loved ones and memories with you in your heart always. By your side or on your shoulder. In a butterfly or passing Engine.

“I’m going to keep living my life – for Greg and our boys,” Deanna said. “What happened to Greg taught me and our boys that we have to live our lives for today.”

“Grab it now,” she said.

However, Greg is very much still an active part of their world – and he always will be.

“I still carry him in my heart,” Deanna said. “I take him with me wherever I go. I can feel him still.”

She thinks of what she would say now to her soul mate, best friend, husband and father of their boys.

“I hope I am making you proud,” Deanna said softly.

“I relied on him for everything,” said Deanna. So many wives do learn to rely on their husbands for so many things.

“He took such good care of us,” Deanna said. “It’s definitely been difficult. This has taught me how strong I really am.”

“I am so proud our boys for continuing their dreams, despite their heartbreak for their Dad,” Deanna said. “Life has a way of throwing curveballs.”

She thinks quietly about the gratitude she has for even having experienced a love like hers with Greg – truly, a love of a lifetime.

“His absence leaves a hole in my life that will never be filled and could never be filled,” Deanna said. “He was my soul mate. He was the gentleman, he was the romantic.”

ON THE HORIZON

As the family continues to move forward in Greg’s honor, one dream of his seems soon to be realized.

Greg was a founding member of the California Fire Museum and Safety Learning Center (https://www.cafiremuseum.org/), which is a project slated to open its’ doors one day at The Great Park in Irvine.

One of Greg’s wishes was for his highly collectible Fire Apparatus collection to be donated to the California Fire Museum, said another CFM founding member, Don Forsyth, (Ret.) OCFA Battalion Chief.

“Greg donated 350-plus models to scale that are fire related collectible models,” said Forsyth. “They are in excellent condition.”

Forsyth said he worked some shifts with Hennessey at OCFA.

“Greg was a very kind, compassionate and caring individual,” Forsyth said. “He was an extremely knowledgeable and skilled engineer.”

Forsyth said the collectibles, from makers such as Code 3 Collectible Fire Trucks and Corgi Fire Trucks, have incredible to scale details. He said each model most likely ranged in retail price of $40 - $80.

“These models will go into the museum and on public display,” Forsyth said. “This is a very significant and special collection, most especially because it came from one of our founding members.”

THEIR HEARTS WILL GO ON

Deanna is honest when she says she and the boys still have their bad days, but know they still have their fire family, family and friends to turn to. They also have their family pets to help them with the day to day love and hugs: Bandit, a pitbull-boxer mix; and Mouse, a long-hair cat.

“Being a firefighter was a huge love for him,” Deanna said. “He loved what he did. He loved his fire family. We miss the day to day with them, but we know they are with us too.”

“It’s still a new, raw walk for us,” Deanna said. “But he’s with us.”

###

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT COURTESY HENNESSEY FAMILY

CREDITS

https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/gregory-j-hennessey/

https://www.ocfirefighters.org/about/in-memoriam

https://www.amazon.com/Queen-struggle-real-So-comeback/dp/1794312595 The Queen B: The struggle is real. So is the comeback. By Gina Clapprood (Helping to Empower Women, Life Changing Moments, Empower Themselves)

https://www.cafiremuseum.org/

(SONG LYRICS USED)

- Firehouse - Love of a Lifetime - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ETENrv8cnU

- Faith Hill - This Kiss

The new single "American Heart" available NOW at iTunes: http://smarturl.it/americanheart

- Elton John - Your Song (Top Of The Pops 1971)

https://genius.com/Elton-john-your-song-lyrics