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Tom Hennessey was born on February 15, 1936, in Boston. He was an all-state football player at Brookline High School and captained three sports. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, was his classmate at Brookline High. Tom went on to attend Holy Cross, where he was a standout halfback for the Crusaders. In 1963, he won the Crusader of the Year award as the most prestigious student-athlete award presented by the Holy Cross Varsity Club, or his achievements in football and track and field. Prior to his rookie season with the Patriots, he played in the Atlantic Coast Football League and was named the league's top defensive back in 1964. He joined the Patriots in 1965 and played for two seasons (1965-1966), recording eight interceptions in 28 career games and was named the Patriots Rookie of the Year in 1965. As big of an impact as he made on the field, his greatest contributions came off the field. He was a great mentor to so many kids and really dedicated his life to helping others. He served as a teacher for 28 years in the Boston school system, and spent a year teaching physical education at the Jesuit College in Baghdad. He then taught math and coached at Madison Park High School, followed by many years as the headmaster. He was as an assistant to the Dean of Men at Holy Cross and served on Brookline's Board of Selectmen and also on the school committee. Tom Hennessey passed away on July 22, 2012 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. |
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