June 21, 2025
TOORAK PARK TREBLE
Another big day at home
A Century of the Red & Black
It is was with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Michael Hennessy on 25 January.
Henno, who had celebrated his 70th birthday last year, had recently welcomed a new grandson to the fold.
Michael Hennessy graduated from Xavier in 1964, but the red and black blood ran through him always.
He played some games with the OXFC Reserves, but his affection for the club grew even stronger after his retirement, and was among our most ardent members and supporters.
Henno derived great pleasure from the achievements of our young men in red and black and was delighted with their finals efforts in 2016.
During the week, away from Toorak Park, Michael wore the wig as an esteemed member of Green's List, spending his hours in courthouses putting away the dangerous and making our society a little safer. To prepare for his task, he often spent early mornings dipping a toe in the Brighton Baths.
Henno was a great family man, a loving husband to Sara, a proud father of Tom, Jack and Melissa (who is married to OX premiership star Ben Coughlan).
Michael was a trusted confidant to many Old Xavs - younger, older and in-between.
Jack Scanlan, father of Stephen and former players James and Michael, passed away on 22 September.
Jack was 71 and had for a long time battled with the cancer that in the end beat him.
Courageous and in good humour to the end, he died peacefully at Cabrini surrounded by his family.
A devoted husband to his wife Julie, Jack was a great supporter and sponsor of the Old Xavs.
His generosity and sense of humour endeared him to all who knew him.
The number of Old Xaverians football people attending the requiems for Henno and Jack was an illustration of the feelings we had for them. Both will be missed, but always remembered.
