Joesph Patrick Fennessey

Joseph Patrick Fennessey, 87, of Mexico, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2021, at Boone Hospital Center. Joseph was born on June 28, 1933, in Meta, Missouri, the son of Dennis Bartholmew Fennessey and Tresa Marie (Wenzel) Fennessey/Hankey. He married Evelyn Roling on August 25, 1956, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Wardsville, Missouri. Mr. Fennessey moved to Illinois when he was three. He graduated from Granite City (Illinois) High School and served in the Air Force as an airplane mechanic/radar technician on an F86 Sabre from 1952 to 1956. He then attended Rolla School of Mines majoring in electrical engineering. Joe and Evelyn moved to Mexico in 1959. He worked for Kaiser Refractories and later for A.P. Green Industries. During his career, Joe played an instrumental role in expanding A.P. Green sales to the iron and steel industries. He was closely involved in several million-dollar contracts for A.P. Green products. He served as field test supervisor, helping in the development of many new products for the steel industry. He also represented A.P. Green projects and seminars in Canada, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Austria, Germany, Korea, Holland and the Philippines. Joe retired from A.P. Green in 1991, as a Sales Engineer/Steel Industry Specialist. He was a member of the Iron and Steel Society, Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, St. Brendan Catholic Church, Mexico Country Club, Elks Club, American Legion, Mexico Jaycees and Mexico Lions Club. Joe was Audrain County GOP chairman when Kit Bond was elected governor of the State of Missouri. He was a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus, which he served as District Deputy Joe enjoyed going to grandchildren's school activities, graduations from college and their special accomplishments. His hobbies were HO Gauge model railroading, traveling, computers, photography, reading, woodworking, pen and ink drawing and he could fix anything. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Fennessey of the home; three daughters, Jeanette F. Kopp of Festus, Judith A. (Mark E.) Wienke of Columbia and Joyce E. (Dale E.) Nichols of Mokane; and five grandchildren, Patrick (Amanda) Kopp of Madison, Wis., Jeffrey Kopp of Festus, Lauren Kopp of Festus, Taylor Nichols of Columbia and Ethan Nichols of Mokane. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; infant twin sisters, Patricia Marie and Margaret Ann; and a brother, Thomas Zane Fennessey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, at St. Brendan Catholic Church with Fr. Dylan Schrader officiating. Deacon Lou Leonatti will be assisting. Burial will follow in St. Brendan Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, at Arnold Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Brendan Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265. Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com