John Leyden Kahl

John was raised in Eastchester, New York. He graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School and attended Iona College, of which he remained a spirited alumni throughout his life.

Early in his career, John traveled throughout New England as a sales representative for Avon Products. Later, he was a successful development officer for numerous institutions, including Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Fordham Prep and Iona University.

John was a faithful parishioner of his church, where he attended Mass weekly and contributed his time as a parish council member and religious education teacher. John led an exceptionally active lifestyle. He played tennis competitively in college and remained a skilled player throughout his life.

He was also an avid golfer, a pursuit he enjoyed with his close friends. John spoke often of his years coaching his daughters’ soccer and softball teams. Later in life, John (or Papa, as he was known to them) cheered for his grandchildren at numerous tennis, soccer, basketball and softball games in the Boston area and enjoyed seeing each of them achieve success on and off the field. John was immensely proud of his grandchildren and loved watching them grow. To the end, John was in motion with his family and friends, whether exercising at the high school track, hiking in the Vermont woods, grabbing his grandchild’s rebound at the schoolyard, going to Walter’s for a hot dog or encouraging a neighborhood walk with his granddog Theo. He will be remembered for his vigor in life and his deep love for his family.

In addition to his wife, Jane, John is survived by his daughters Julie Kahl of Scarsdale, New York; Laura Tikonoff and her husband Matthew of Arlington, Massachusetts; and Anne Kahl of Scarsdale, New York. He is also survived by his three dear grandchildren, William, Elizabeth and Emily; his sister Susan Trojanowski of Eastchester, New York; his brother James Kahl and his wife Caroline of Alexandria, Virginia; his sister-in-law Doris Grzymski of Chatham, New Jersey; and his four nephews and niece and their children. John is predeceased by his parents Frank and Winifred Kahl; his in-laws Joseph and Leona Grzymski; and his brother-in-law Joseph Grzymski, Jr.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with John’s family from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 2, at the Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Home, 824 Scarsdale Ave., Scarsdale, New York.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 3, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 8 Carmen Rd., Scarsdale, New York (ihm-parish.org). Burial will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southeast Consortium for Special Services (http://www.secrec.org) or White Plains Hospital Center for Cancer Care (https://www.wphospital.org/foundation/donate-now).