John J. “Doc” Ennis – loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on July 22 with his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Patricia Kenney Ennis, at his side.
The son of John Thomas and Mary (Maloney) Ennis, Jack was born in Ansonia on April 8, 1923. He graduated from Ansonia High School in 1940 and served in the United States Navy from 1942 – 1945 on LST ferrying troops from England to Normandy and was at Normandy on June 7, 1944.
Jack was a Life Member and former Trustee of Valley Council 23 of the Knights of Columbus, and a Life Member and former treasurer of Webster Hose Co. No. 3, where he played softball for many years. He also served as Secretary of the Fire Committee of the Ansonia Board of Alderman, was a member of the Retired Men’s Club of Ansonia and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He retired in 1978 as Superintendent of Postal Operations after a 33-year career with the United States Postal Service. In retirement he became a school bus driver, including driving for the Notre Dame (West Haven) High School football team. He also became an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal, taught himself the stock market, and became an accomplished day trader before it became fashionable.
In March 2016 Jack was recognized as “Mayor for the Day” in Ansonia and raised the Irish flag outside City Hall.
In addition to his wife Patricia, he is survived by two sons, Robert (Heather) of Hamden and Brian (Colleen) of North Haven, and five grandchildren, Matthew (Elise) of Durham, N.C., Kevin (Becky) of Shelton, Thomas, John and Caroline of Hamden, and a niece Virginia Triemert (Steve) of Overland Park, KS.
In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by his sister Irene (Burke), brother Thomas and nephews John and Charles “Chick” Ennis.
Calling hours will be on Sunday July 28 from 4 – 7 p.m. in the Bennett Funeral Home 91 N Cliff St Ansonia CT. On Monday a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of the Assumption 23 N Cliff St Ansonia CT. Burial with full military honors will be in Mt. St. Peters Cemetery Derby, CT
Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Assumption in care of Bennett Funeral Home, or to University of New Haven Women’s Soccer through the funeral home or directly via https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/47303/donations/new.
