Greg Hennessey - Firefighter - California

Fire Engineer Greg Hennessey, age 49, of Trabuco Canyon, died in the line of duty on January 20, 2014, at Fire Station No. 45 in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

Greg was a Fire Engineer with the Orange County Fire Authority. He had 24 years of service. 

Greg was on duty at the fire station when he suffered cardiac arrest.  His colleagues began lifesaving procedures at approximately 9:40 a.m. and transported him to Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased 40 minutes later. 

When he and his family lived in New York, he was a volunteer firefighter.  After the family moved to California, he worked for a while at JC Penny.  However, he found that he really wanted to work in firefighting. 

Greg worked for 11 years as a firefighter until he was promoted to engineer in 2001. 

Greg mentored youth in the Explorer programs in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, advising teenagers who were thinking about being firefighters.  He also taught in the apparatus engineer academy. 

Saint Florian, Patron Saint
of Firefighters, pray for Greg

Greg's family are deeply mourning his passing.  He will be forever missed. 

Fire Department officials stated that Greg was a respected engineer and an indispensable mentor to the young people he helped.  He is also described as conscientious, very competent, well-liked and a leader. 

Greg is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother, Virginia; his wife, Deanna; and his sons, Ryan and Brandon. 

Thank you for serving the public, Greg.

Pray that Greg is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.