Francis J. Jenness

A graveside service with military honors for Jess will be Saturday, May, 16, 2026 at the Brownville Cemetery. 

Francis James “Jess” Jenness, 93, of Glen Park, passed away October 26, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.

Jess was born on January 7, 1932, in Belfast, Maine, the son of James F. and Marion (Cunningham) Jenness. He graduated the top of his class from Crosby High School in Belfast, Maine and was a proud captain of the baseball, basketball, and football team. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Airforce where he served in the Korean War as a Radarman. He was fond of telling the story of how he guided Ted Williams plane in distress to a safe landing. After his tour in Korea, he was stationed here locally at Dry Hill Airforce Base where he met the love of his life, Catherine “Tiny” Singleton. The two married on June 13, 1953, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Brownville, NY. After being honorably discharged from the Airforce, him and Tiny moved to Belfast, Maine. Francis worked for the Belfast Power Company briefly, as they returned to Glen Park, NY to help care for Tiny’s mother. Jess was employed by NY Telephone in Watertown for 34 years and retired in 1991. Jess and Tiny raised their five children in Glen Park, taking family trips in the summer to Belfast, Maine, Wescotts Beach, Long Point, Shangri Lai, and eventually settling at a family cottage in Adams Cove, Pillar Point.

His wife, Tiny, passed away on July 17, 1989.

Upon his retirement, Jess met his companion, Marylou Coyle. They made many great memories together traveling every winter to Surfside Beach, SC. You could find them at Neil & Pam’s Tavern every day meeting up with other retirees from home.

Jess was a lifelong member and past Commander of Allen Giles Post 588 American Legion in Brownville, NY. He was a faithful patron showing up 15 minutes early, making sure he got his favorite barstool, where the bartenders graciously accommodated his early schedule. He looked forward to his Seabreeze, seeing his favorite faces, and hearing the local scoop. He was well known for his sense of humor. If you called him Francis, he made sure to tell you to “dot the I”. You could often hear him singing his favorite hymns of the past. As soon as you heard “Crack the whip Joe, start the elephant show” you knew you were in for comedy hour. He proudly hung his Red Sox flag in the garage for all to see when driving down Main St. If the garage door was open, he was ready for friends to stop in and looked forward to all the familiar faces. Before you left though, he made sure to tell you “Go Boston!” Even if you didn’t stop at the house, he was busy driving around the villages making sure you all saw him driving 15 miles under the speed limit, occasionally stopping at Dundees to make sure Gregor was behaving.

Jess was most proud of his children and all they accomplished. Although, he was quick to say “What makes you act this way?”, as his children’s response was, “You dad!” He loved visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren, always saying how well behaved, smart, and funny they are. He was a hardworking family man. He was caring, quick witted, and lived a simple yet extremely fulfilling life of love. We will always remember him every day with love in our hearts and that New England accent; so yes dad, “you can get there’ah from over here’ah”.

He would like us to remind all the Yankees fans, there’s no crying in baseball!

Surviving are his children, David L. Jenness and his companion Heather O’Driscoll, Worth, NY, Doreen R. Jenness, Decatur, TN, Patricia M. (Travis) Aubin, Black River, NY, Susanne H. Jenness and her companion Matthew T. Hill, Glen Park, NY, wife of James, Debra Jenness, Pillar Point, NY, a sister, Constance Jenness Jones, Belfast, Maine, thirteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

His wife Catherine “Tiny” Jenness, a son, James F. Jenness, two sisters, Elizabeth Jenness and Patricia Jenness Teves, and a brother Reggie Jenness, died before him.

Calling hours will be Monday, November 3, 2025, from 4pm-7pm at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 11am, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. with Pastor Warren Day officiating. A celebration of life will follow at American Legion Post 588 in Brownville, NY at 4pm. A burial will be held in the spring at the Brownville Cemetery with full Military Honors, to be announced at a later date.

The family would like to thank Jess’s caregivers, the dedicated Glen Park Volunteer Fire Department volunteers, Guilfoyle Ambulance personnel, Hospice of Watertown nurses, and all his friends who have dedicated their time to him the past few years. A special thank you to his long time friends/neighbors, Dawn and Dennis Trombley, who always looked out for him .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Glen Park Volunteer Fire Department or Hospice of Watertown.

Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com

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