Richard Addison Hennigar

HOLDEN - The Rev. Richard Addison Hennigar, 81, retired Episcopal Priest from the former St. John's Episcopal Church in Worcester, died peacefully, surrounded by his devoted family and under the loving care of the staff at Ichabod Washburn Hospice Residence in Worcester, on Thursday, August 15, 2013. He was born in Malden, son of Joshua M. and Margaret J. (McDougal) Hennigar. He lived in Holden 27 years.

Rev. Hennigar graduated from Saugus High School in 1950, Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in 1954, and from The Episcopal Theological Seminary in Cambridge, in 1957. After graduating Seminary, Rev. Hennigar served as a Curate in St. Stephen's Memorial Episcopal Church in Lynn. From 1959 to 1964, he served as Vicar of The Chapel of All Saints in Leominster, and from 1964 to 1986, as Rector at St. John's Episcopal Church in Worcester. He also served as the Executive Director of the Worcester County Ecumenical Council, from which he retired in 1993. He founded "The Gathering Tree"; a program designed to assist caregivers/families of Alzheimer's, and served as Chaplain at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital in Worcester. In his retirement, he continued his ministries, serving as an assisting priest at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden. Rev. Hennigar proudly served his country in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1949 to 1954, during the Korean Conflict.

Rev. Hennigar passionately enjoyed the company of others and being pastor to all of God's people. He was a devoted pastor and left an indelible mark of faith and compassion in the lives of the many parishioners he served throughout his priesthood. Rev. Hennigar looked forward to gardening, reading, group singing, and the bell choir. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and dear friends. He leaves his loving wife of 58 years, Lorraine (Bragg) Hennigar; his children, Mark R. Hennigar and his wife, Erin M. O'Grady of Henniker, NH and Nancy L. Hennigar Turner and her fiance, Gerald Peterson of Shrewsbury; six grandchildren, Briana K. Graziano and Katelyn L. Hennigar, Jason N., Keith A., Bryce L., and Mykel R. Turner; and extended family children, Jeffrey and Kayla Peterson; two sisters, Alice M. Schultz of Sarasota, FL. and the Rev. Edna Love and her husband, The Rev. James Love of Lafayette, LA; two brothers, Ronald Hennigar of Sebago, ME and Edmund M. Hennigar and his wife, Margaret, of Benicia, CA; and many nephews, nieces and cousins throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 19, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A funeral service celebrating Rev. Hennigar's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 70 Highland Street, Holden, MA 01520 with The Right Rev. Douglas J. Fisher presiding. Interment will follow at Grove Cemetery in Holden. Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Francis Episcopal Church; or to the Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545; or to the Ichabod Washburn Hospice, 1183 Main St., Worcester, MA 01603. To share a memory or offer online condolences please sign the guestbook on this page.