Brian M. Henehan

Brian M. Henehan, age 76, passed away on February 16, 2023 at home in Trumansburg, NY, surrounded by his wife and children.

Brian is survived by his wife of 33 years, Paddy Redihan; children, Seamus Henehan and Brigid Redihan-Henehan; sisters, Mary Pat Henehan (Jack Renard), Rita Henehan (Allen Wesley) and Susan Henehan (Gregory Shields); and nieces and nephews; Sarah Shields-Stier (Richard Stier), Erin Shields-Dietrich (Steven Dietrich), and Joseph Thomas Wesley (Fiance Rachel Kriegshauser). He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother Father Thomas Henehan, MM.  

He was born on January 10, 1947 to the late Thomas Henehan and Rita (DeVry). He grew up in Chicago Illinois. He graduated high school at Loyola Academy and received an undergraduate degree from Boston College and later a graduate degree from the University of Vermont in Agricultural Economics. In the 1970s Brian was part of the “back to the land” movement located in Walden, VT (in the Northeast Kingdom), where he was a founding member of the Vermont Northern Grower’s Cooperative. He built a house in Walden where he lived for almost 20 years  (and in his own words “most importantly made many life-long friendships”). 

Brian had a rich, unique career path starting in Vermont working for The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).  After achieving his graduate degree, he worked as an agricultural economist at the Dyson School of Applied Economics at Cornell University for 25 years. He traveled the world helping farmers form cooperatives. His work was incredibly important to him and the many people he helped over the years. 

In the early 1980s Brian moved to Ithaca, NY. In 1990 Brian married the love of his life, Patricia Redihan, with whom he built a family and a home he cherished for the next 33 years. His children Seamus and Brigid gave him the utmost pride and joy. He was an incredibly involved father and partner. He made those around him feel so loved. Brian was a very social guy who got so much joy from the wonderful relationships he had with his sisters, brother and countless friends and extended family members. 

During the later years of his life, Brian persevered through illness the same way he lived his life; boldly, bravely, and full of laughter and love. His true essence shined through to his very last days. It is his family's absolute honor to carry on his legacy of incredible kindness, humor, and living life to the very fullest. 

A Celebration of Life for Brian Henehan will take place Friday, June 23, 2023 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at North Point Shelter at Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg, NY. The formal sharing of memories/stories will run from 4-5:00pm. Sharing can continue during a catered buffet from 5:30-7:00pm. Following dinner, energetic attendees might want to join family members on a walk to the Falls, one of Brian's favorite activities. Dress is casual; no black please. You might want to bring/wear sneakers and a sweater/sweatshirt for the walk and our changeable upstate NY weather. Please RSVP Brigid Redihan-Henehan at bredihan@gmail.com so we can get numbers to the caterer and have the Park fee waived for you

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Brian’s memory can be made to; The Food Justice Projects https://www.foodjusticeprojects.org/donate

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