Hank E. Hessey

Hank Hessey, 80, of Fredericktown and formerly of Bucyrus, passed away Friday, May 12, 2017 at OSU Wexner Medical Center.



Hank was born June 20, 1936 in Marion County to the late George and Edna (Bodey) Hessey. “Hammerin Hank” known by many, loved playing baseball and if not for an automobile accident injury he might have made it big. Life led him on a different path. His father died when he was young and by the age of 14 he was supporting his family by laying block for Mart Hoffman of Leesville. Being a patriot and because of his love of country he joined the Army at a young age and was stationed in Germany for a portion of his five plus years serving his country. On July 13, 1958, while on leave, Hank married Joy A. Sand whom he’d been seeing for several years.



Hank made it his passion to provide a quality future for his family. He began working at Timken and farmed for several years before opening a Citgo gas station on Plymouth Street in Bucyrus. He later sold the station to his brother and moved to Florida where he sold insurance for American National Insurance Company. A couple of years later he returned to Ohio and worked as a regional manager in Tiffin for Met Life Insurance. He then spent years with Shunk Chromalloy and Continental Hose before he bravely engaged in his first start up business, Hebco Products, which he founded in the mid-80s and then sold in 1995 to Masco Tech. This gave him time to settle down but that was short lived as he and family members founded his second manufacturing business, Crawford Machine. He officially retired in 2011 but kept his fingers on the pulse of the business for years to come.



Hank was a strong and firm man but at the same time he wasn’t shy of expressing his love to family and friends. He loved to travel. He and Joy visited all 50 states. They were particularly fond of Jackson Hole, Wyoming because of the breath-taking beauty of the Grand Tetons and vast display of wild life. Phoenix, Arizona was also a favorite vacation spot due to the big blue skies and warm climate. Holidays with family brought smiles. Thanksgiving was his favorite. He loved playing cards with family and friends; double deck pinochle and euchre being his games of choice. He also enjoyed watching the Tribe and OSU football and basketball games. He read about every book that Tom Clancy wrote. Hank was a supportive member of the NRA, Republican Party and Judicial Watch. Needless to say, he was disappointed that Hillary wasn’t locked up!



In addition to Joy, his wife of nearly 59 years, Hank is survived by three Hessey sons, Brian and Victoria of Doylestown, Bradley and Kim of Bellville and Kevin and Rebecca of Fredericktown; 10 grandchildren, Brook Hessey, Kailee (Justin) Scherger, Jacob Hecker, Jacquelyn Hecker, Alea (Michael) LaCroix, Lindsey (Brad) Gallik, Thomas Henry (Abbey) Hessey, Vanessa (Dillon) Lambert, Mikey Hessey and Jacie Hessey; four great grandchildren, Zoe, Braylin, Remington and Reese as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by 15 siblings.



His family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, where his funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday with close family friend, James W. Pry, II sharing a little of Hank’s life. Services will conclude at the funeral home with Military Rites being provided by the US Army and American Legion Post 181 Honor Guards and he will be buried in Oakwood Cemetery at a later date.



His family specifically request in lieu of flowers, donations be made payable to Nationwide Children’s Hospital or to Shriners Hospitals for Children through the funeral home.