Austin Hennessey

Hennessey, Austin Clontarf Malahide Vancouver
*February 22, 1940 - July 24, 2024*

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Austin Hennessey, a man whose life was a testament to love, kindness, and joy. Austin’s journey began in the charming neighbourhood of Sandymount, Dublin, where he grew up and nurtured a love for cycling. As a seminary student in Ireland, he sought to understand the path of love, he found beauty in stained glass and was a keen seeker to learn about the great spiritual paths. Years later he was ordained and became senior minister at Unity of Vancouver, touching countless lives with his wisdom and warmth.

Austin was a man of many passions. Alongside his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Mary, he co-authored a book on love and marriage, sharing their insights and experiences. His entrepreneurial spirit saw him thrive as an import-export entrepreneur in Dublin and later as a leading distributor of top fashion brands in Vancouver and throughout Canada.

Austin’s love story with Mary is one for the ages. Austin had studied to become a priest and Mary had studied to become a nun. After leaving those studies, they met in 1963 when he helped her up after she fell off her bike in front of the French Embassy in Dublin, where she worked. On their very first date in 1963, they committed to marriage and a life dedicated to love and teaching. They married the following year, honeymooned in Paris, and welcomed their beautiful daughter, Jacinta, a year later.

Known for his delightful humor and hearty laugh, Austin took great joy in fine cooking and in creating beautiful memories with his family in their travels around Europe. He was an avid reader and life-long learner. His life’s mission was to teach love, share wisdom and uplift people. In his ministry, his kind and loving energy touched thousands of lives, inspiring everyone he met with his grace, humour, love, and kindness. His legacy of compassion and joy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

An intimate gathering with immediate family to honor Austin’s remarkable life will be held in Dublin in August. A Celebration of Life gathering to honor this extraordinary man will be held in September at Unity of Vancouver with his spiritual community and many friends. More details will follow.

Austin Hennessey will forever be remembered for the kindness, love and warmth he brought into the world. Austin wanted to remind us of the incredible world of love both here and in the next beautiful realm. May Austin’s gracious spirit continue to inspire those he loved and all who knew him.