James Michael Hennigan, Sr.

James Michael “Mike” Hennigan, Sr., 69, of Mount Joy, PA, formerly of Mantua, NJ, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Jane A. (Rubeo) Hennigan, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Thomas Joseph Hennigan and Mary Kathleen (Gates) Hennigan. Mike was a graduate of Camden County Vocational Technical School. He went on to have a career as a drafting designer, working for John Crane, Inc., Flow Serve, and most recently Neemar, Inc., where he continued working part-time doing what he loved. In his younger years, Mike served as a Sea Cadet and volunteered as a firefighter with the Glendora Fire Company in New Jersey.

Mike was a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan who never missed a game. He would cheer, occasionally yell at the television, and every now and then, in the heat of the moment, he would turn it off and call it a night. Having a vast knowledge, Mike was the “jack of all trades.” He was an exceptional woodworker, craftsman, and tradesman. Everything he created in his workshop was for his family, from dollhouses and clocks to furniture and cradles, just to name a few. He loved spending time in his workshop tinkering with his tools and coming up with new designs. This all lead to restoring a 1976 Proline fishing boat, “Just Stretching.” Mike also enjoyed gardening alongside Jane, growing vegetables each year. In recent years, he had taken an interest in cooking. After moving from New Jersey, he spent time researching bread recipes and was on a mission to perfect the hoagie roll.

Mike had a deep love for the water and would take his wife Jane on trips to Cape May, New Jersey in the fall. They enjoyed taking walks and strolling through the Washington Street Mall, sitting by the ocean, and taking in the scenic views together.

He was an avid fisherman, never missing the opening day of trout season. He shared his love of fishing with his children and grandchildren, whether on Brigantine Beach in NJ, at a quiet lake, or out on a boat. Even when he didn’t have a boat of his own, he kept the tradition alive by renting one in Tuckerton, NJ. No trip was complete without bringing along the perfect hoagie.

Above all, one of his greatest joys in life was spending time with his family. He treasured time with his grandchildren, whether building train tracks, attending school events and dance recitals, teaching them to fish, and cheering them on at soccer games.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Jimmy Hennigan, Jr., partner of Annamarie Snitcher, of Harpers Ferry, WV, and Joe Hennigan, husband of Katie, of South Harrison, NJ, whom he shared with his first wife, Mary Lou Slusar; his daughter, Jamie Farina, wife of Chris, of Marietta, PA; his grandchildren, Georgia Hennigan, Makenzie and Kaylie Hennigan, Shawn and Aaron James Farina (AJ); his brother, Patrick Hennigan of Florida; sisters, Mary Kathleen Hennigan, of Somerdale, NJ, Trish Steward, wife of Jim, of Pilesgrove, NJ, Thomasine Bron, wife of Bill, of Deptford, NJ, Elizabeth Speese, wife of Bobby, of Glendora, NJ, and Bernadette Moore, wife of Mike, of Somerdale, NJ; and his brother-in-law, Vernon Speese, of Pilesgrove, NJ. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Diane Speese.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life on Friday, April 24, from noon to 3:00 PM. Words of remembrance and shared reflections will begin at 2:00 PM. at Buch Funeral Home, 21 West Main Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mike’s memory to the American Heart Association, online at https://www.heart.org.