George 'Hawk' Henninger, 80 Branford
George "Hawk" Henninger, 80, of Pine Orchard Road, Branford, died at his home on Feb. 14. He was the husband of the late Jacqueline Henninger. He was born in Branford on Sept. 16, 1929, son of the late George and Norma Henninger. He had served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and had been involved in air-sea rescue.
For 13 years, he had been an iron worker for Local 424. He then worked for the Branford Board of Education for 27 years and was the head custodian at the John B. Sliney School for 18 years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 83 in Branford.
He was best known, however, for being one of the best fans and supporters of sports in Branford. He was an avid follower of the Eel Pot and Silver Dollar softball teams, as well as many of the Branford Recreation Department's men's, women's, and co-ed softball teams. Since 1980, he had attended more than 200 Branford High School games a year on average. In 2007, he was inducted into the Branford Sports Hall of Fame and, on Thanksgiving Day 2009, the gate at the Branford High School Athletic Complex was named "Hawk's Gate" in his honor in recognition of his dedication and service to the Branford High School Athletic Department.
He is survived by his children Karen Paradis and her fiancé Ronald Knight of East Haven, Gretchen Spear and her husband Rick of Wintersville, Ohio, and Robert Barnes of Flemington, New Jersey. He is also survived by a sibling, Gayle Neff of Florida; three grandchildren, Jason Paradis, Kyle Spear, and Ricky Spear; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, William and Robert Henninger.
A funeral service was held on Feb. 19 at the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, Branford. Burial was in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford. Memorial donations may be made to the Branford High School Athletic Department, 185 East Main St., Branford, CT 06405.