Thomas A. Kenney

Thomas Kenney, 86, passed away Wednesday December 10, 2014 surrounded by his loving family at the Cape Cod Hospital after a short illness. He is survived by his loving wife Rose Marie (Ontra) whom he was married to for 62 years. He was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, the first child of Alfred and Mary (Resco) Kenney on July 25, 1928. After his mother’s premature death he was loving raised by his father’s second wife, Mildred (Lemmermann) Kenney. He grew up in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn and was educated at Xavier Preparatory School for Boys in Manhattan. He completed his education at Syracuse University and Fairleigh Dickinson University where he received a BA in International Politics. His first job was with J.P. Stevens as a salesman. He then worked for many years in the garment district of Manhattan alongside his father in the textile industry. Some of his most enjoyable years, however, were spent as as an instructor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan.

What was most important to Tom was his family. Besides his cherished wife, Rose Marie, he is survived by his adored children, Celeste of Closter, NJ, Suzanne Kenney and her spouse, Judy McCarthy of Brewster, MA and Rosemarie Kenney-Lavin and her spouse, Bill Lavin of Waterville, ME . He was “Papa” to his cherished five grandchildren, Brendan Maiello and spouse Melissa, Cassie Boyle and spouse, Kevin, Felicia Maiello, Tommy and Jimmy Lavin. He was blessed to gaze upon and know the two other loves of his life, his great grandchildren, Nicholas Maiello and Avery Boyle. To Tom his family could do no wrong. He was always there to cheer them in their pursuits and life’s accomplishments. He was quick with a joke or a pun and would not be beyond shedding a tear if the emotion moved him. He was much loved. Although he never truly warmed to the Red Sox he wanted people to know that as a faithful son of Brooklyn he was a Dodgers fan and not a Yankees fan.

He was a veteran of the US Army serving 2 tours, the last being in Okinawa during the Korean War. He was a long time member of the Power Squadron of Bergen County. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church Closter, New Jersey.

He is also survived by his sister, Genevieve Smith and her husband, Raymond, of Long Island NY. He was predeceased by his sister, Marilyn Dwyer. He leaves many nieces and nephews. Burial Services were attended by family at the National Cemetery, Bourne, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Project Place (www.projectplace.org).