HENNESSEY, George

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, January 05, 2011 George Hennessey passed away on Dec. 29, 2010, at home in Tucson, Ariz. George was born in North Bend, Ore., on July 19, 1941. He grew up in Chino Valley, Ariz., and Prescott, Ariz. He graduated from Prescott High School in 1959 and from Northern Arizona University in 1964. George lived in the Flagstaff community until 1967. In 1966, George accepted a job with All-American Distributing Company. All-American later became Golden Eagle Distributors Inc., where George spent the next 40 years helping to build the Budweiser brand in Arizona. His humor and zest for life were infectious and he was the "BUD MAN" in the truest sense. He had an incredible love for his family and his friends. George spent endless years building strong relationships that endured all around Arizona. George was an avid hunter and passed his knowledge and love for hunting onto his sons and grandchildren. However, what George might be best-known for was his love and endless promotion of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Over the years, George essentially became a member of the Clydesdale hitch, traveling and reveling in the majesty of Anheuser-Busch's greatest ambassadors. The single most important accomplishment was the family that he built with his wife Barbara Jo ("BJ"). George is survived by his wife BJ; their children, Ray, Archie and his wife Michelle, and April and her husband Toby Hill; and his greatest joy in life was his grandchildren, George, Christopher, Summer and Cyrcee. He will be truly missed by his sister-in-law Vivian, his "daughter" Jenni, Spikey, many nephews and nieces and too many other people to mention. There is no memorial or burial service planned. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's memory to The Wings Like Eagles Foundation, P.O. Box 27506, Tucson, AZ 85726; www.twle.org; (520) 882-1594. In traditional "Hennessey" fashion, it was his final wish that he have a wonderful Irish Wake Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Cowpony Bar, 6510 E. Tanque Verde, Tucson Ariz. There are several hotels nearby including Sheraton, 5151 E. Grant (520) 323-6262; Radisson, 6555 E. Speedway (520) 721-7100; and Ramada Inn, 6944 E. Tanque Verde (520) 886-9595. Information provided by survivors.