Dr. John (Jack) Welch Hennessey, 82, of Andover, MA and formally of Dorchester and Brookline, MA passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022. He was born on October 21, 1939 to the late Dr. James A. and Gertrude Z. (Welch) Hennessey and was raised in Brookline, MA, graduating from Brookline High School in 1957. He was a pre-med student at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA graduating in 1961. Jack continued his medical training at Tufts Medical School, receiving his medical degree in 1965 followed by an anesthesiology residency program at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. While in medical school Jack joined the Army Reserve Medical Corp as a Captain and following his residency was called to active duty in July 1970 at the rank of Major. He spent two years on active duty and served in Vietnam from September 1970 to September 1971, after which he was assigned to the Army’s medical hospital at Fort Dix, NJ. Jack was released from active duty in July 1972, having received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

As an anesthesiologist, Jack worked for many years at the prestigious New York Presbyterian Hospital and later at the Jamaica Plain Veterans Administration Medical Center in Boston and its neighboring outpatient centers. As a physician, Jack’s career was characterized by service – service to his country in time of war, service to the sick during a time of their greatest need and service to the less fortunate who lived a life without the proper medical care that we so often take for granted. During the peak of his career, Jack selflessly volunteered with groups sponsored by the American Red Cross and the International Rescue Committee. For decades Jack, along with other medical volunteers, spent considerable time in Afghanistan and Pakistan caring for their citizens and refugees’ health. Not only did Jack assist in their care, but he also played a critical role in the development and training of their country’s next generation of physicians and nurses who were pursuing a career in anesthesiology. As a result, Jack developed a lifelong friendship of many Afghani, Pakistani and mid-east professional associates with whom he would regularly visit and correspond. As all his family knows, Jack loved to write letters with perfect penmanship from ink well pens. We always looked forward to holidays and special occasions when it was quite common to receive a note or card from Jack.

Throughout his career Jack was a giver, both in his personal and professional life. He would generously give of his time and treasures to others and was always there to provide guidance and participate in interesting conversations. He thoroughly enjoyed travelling as he journeyed throughout the world visiting his friends and colleagues.

Jack leaves behind his older brother James and his wife Carol and his younger brother Michael and his wife Donna, along with his cousin Ann Marie (Carroll) Falvey and her husband Donald and many loving nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by his younger brother Thomas and his wife Mary and a younger sister Gertrude (Trudy).

Burial services will be private and will take place later at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the American Red Cross, Washington, DC.