David Larabee Hennessey, who much preferred to be known as Dave, died at his home in Nampa on October 8 following a struggle with lung cancer.

Dave was born in Nampa on October 4, 1935, to Gladys Matthews Hennessey and Tom Hennessey, the second of their four sons. In the spring of that year the family was escaping from the Colorado dust bowl, traveling to Yakima, Washington, to start a new life. On the way, they stopped in Nampa. A drive to Emmett, where the orchards were in full bloom, changed Gladyss mind. The family stayed in Nampa, and that decision caused Dave to be born a proud Idahoan.

From the time he was a tiny tot, Dave was blessedor curseddepending on ones perspective, with beautiful blond curls and bright blue eyes. Underneath the angelic exterior was a heart of gold and a quick temper that often led to his involvement in a variety of scrapes.

Like many families, the Hennesseys were on the move during World War II, and as a result Dave attended a number of grade schools in California, Arizona, and Idaho. Dave had a strong and gregarious personality, and wherever the family moved, Dave was soon the center of a group of comrades, making friends and easily becoming a leader. In 1953 Dave graduated from Nampa High School, where he was a District and State champion boxer and an All-state football player.

After high school, Dave entered Idaho State University on a boxing scholarship, but he soon decided that college was not for him. Dave loved to tell the story of buying a horse and riding it all the way from Pocatello to Nampa, arriving in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Whether or not the story is true is a subject of spirited debate in the family, but as with all his stories, Dave told it well.

Dave and his high school sweetheart, Jennine Platt, were married on November 18, 1955, and spent the next nearly 56 years together, raising four children.

For most of his adult life, Dave worked as a cattle dealer, often in cooperation with his dad and brothers. In his later years he was the much-loved bus driver for the Nampa Senior Center. He was very fond of the seniorsespecially his "little old ladies"and on his own time, often took the seniors on sight-seeing excursions.

Dave was a voracious reader, a master of trivia, an accomplished Mr. Fix-it, and an expert at his favorite pastimespool and cards. He was wonderful company, and absolutely no one could tell jokes or do accents better than Dave.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, brother Tip, son Casey, and grandson Ryan Hennessey. He is survived by his wife Jennine, sons Bob (Melone), Shaun, and daughter Jody Bradburn (Tom). Surviving grandchildren are Casey, Keely, and BonnyJune Bradburn and Jenny Hennessey-Bastian (Jesse), and his great grandson Maddox Bastian. Dave is also survived by his brothers Tom (Alice) and Don (Sue Slade).

The family would like to extend deepest appreciation to Gretchen, Mary Beth, Loma, Roberta, and John of St. Alphonsus Hospice. Their care and support during the last two months was exemplary.

A celebration of Daves life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at the Nampa Senior Center. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to the Nampa Senior Center, 207 Constitution Way, Nampa, ID 83686 or the charity of ones choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel.

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