Joseph P. Henigan

Joe "Hank" Henigan peacefully entered eternal rest on May 22, 2024.

Joe was a proud son of St. Anne's Parish in Port Richmond. After starting at North Catholic High School, his family moved to Germantown where he excelled at sports for the Germantown Boys Club. After serving in the United States Army, witnessing eight atomic bomb explosions while on assignment at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific, Joe married Mary Louise Harkins and started a family that they raised in Germantown then Roxborough/Manayunk.

Joe is survived by his children Joseph B. (the late Florence), Patrick, Maureen Rosenfeld (the late Martin), Anne Lapent (James), Lawrence (Karin Clemson) and Theresa Peel (Stephen).

Proud of his Gaeltacht roots, he made sure his children were well versed in the history, culture, literature and song of Ireland and how that history should inform their conduct.

Joe was grandfather to Patrick and Timothy Henigan and Madelyn Henigan Gonzalez, Carole, Becky Crosby and Kenny Rosenfeld and Stacy Anderson, Chelsea Lapent Chevrette, Michaela Lapent Ellinger, Matthew Henigan and Seana Kaneff, Stephen, Catherine and Danielle Peel.

Joe was the loving great grandfather of Fiona and Murphy Henigan, Javi Gonzalez, Aurielle Phillips, Charlie and Mabel Crosby, Kenny and Gunner Anderson, Paisley and Maela Ellinger, Ella, Lily and Ryan Henigan, Oliver and Nora Kaneff.

Joe was predeceased by his parents James and Mary Henigan (nee Lawler), sisters Kathleen Anne (Dolly) Henigan and Mary Milligan, his brother James Henigan and granddaughter Helen Rosenfeld.

Joe is also survived by his in laws in the Harkins family, George Harkins (Geri), Patricia Galvin (the late Jack), Rose Marie Walsh (the late Joe), Joseph (Peg), Emmett (the late Nancy), David (Lynn) and Paul (Gloria) as well as brothers in law Robert Coyne and Karl Mebert.

Joe fully enjoyed mischief and mayhem with the "out laws" of the Harkins family Jack Galvin, Joe Walsh and Bob Coyne. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews in both the Henigan and Harkins families who loved him dearly.

Joe, a dedicated Teamster like his father, through his hard work and perseverance provided the opportunity for his six children to excel in the Philadelphia public school system, onward to St Joseph's Preparatory School and Mount Saint Joseph Academy and into college. There was never a time when Joe would not be available for his children's' and grandchildren's activities, either coaching or being present to support their efforts in sports, gymnastics, track, cheerleading, dance, or academics. He is still known as the "Voice of SJP" for his over twenty years providing the play by play commentary at Prep Home Football games, assisted by Jim Lapent. He served on the Board of the Father's Club at St Joseph's Prep and was ever present at Prep soccer games and crew competitions well after his sons graduated. Many athletes have fond memories of Joe pulling up to Belmont Plateau in his big red steel truck and trailer, flaunting traffic laws about trucks in Fairmount Park and police to support the athletes.

Joe was a larger than life figure: remembered by many for his days bartending in Germantown at Cranes and the Continental Post as well as his years coaching soccer. His efforts as a friend of Bill W helped hundreds turn their lives around as a sponsor, always being available and always giving what he could to assist anyone in need.

Relatives and friends are invited to Visitation at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 819 E. Cathedral Rd., Philadelphia. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30. Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Condolences may be shared at www.kollerfuneralhome.com

 

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