John F.R. Kenealy

Buckfield – John F.R. Kenealy, 63, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He was born on October 25, 1960 in Brooklyn, NY, to parents James and Mary Kenealy, and was raised in the Hudson Valley, where he found his love for all things outdoors. He graduated from Washingtonville High School.

John studied Fish Biology at The University of Maine Orono, where he made the most wonderful lifelong friendships through Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Throughout his life he remained an avid supporter of The Maine Black Bears. After graduation, he worked as a US inspector on Korean and Japanese fishing vessels on the Bering Sea. He came back to Maine where he worked for Kennebec Aquaculture. John later received his Master’s degree in Education. He was most recently employed at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. A true renaissance man, John shared his talents with the world through his love of photography, writing, history, fly fishing, cooking and teaching. Always known as a gentle and contemplative soul, he was never happier than when spending time on a trout stream. John loved his family and was a dedicated husband, brother, uncle, cousin, grandfather “Pops” and friend. He will always be remembered for his wry sense of humor.

On July 8, 2017 he married the love of his life, Dawn (Whitney) Simpson.

John will be dearly missed by one and all. He is survived by his wife of 6 years, Dawn Kenealy; his mother Mary (McCafferty) Kenealy; his three brothers: James and his wife Vanessa, Edmund and his wife Deborah, and Terrence Loyola; nephews Andrew and Aidan Kenealy; niece Diana Kenealy; father-in-law Bob Whitney; sister-in-law Vaughan Gagne; brothers-in-law Greg Whitney and his wife Sue, David Whitney and his wife Kathy, Brian Whitney and his wife Mary; step children Joseph Simpson and his wife Lauren, Andrew Simpson, Angela Joseph and her husband Brian, and John Simpson; precious grandchildren Bryce, Easton, Everett, Rowan and Felix; and beloved nieces, nephews, aunts,

uncles and cousins from the US to Scotland. He was predeceased by his father the Honorable James E. Kenealy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul (Upper Church) in Lewiston on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Tunnel To Towers Foundation via their website: T2T.org . A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway in Lewiston 784-4023.