OBITUARY
Sean D. Kenny
August 25, 1953 – May 5, 2021
Sean D. Kenny 67 passed away on May 5,2021 at Memorial Sloan Kettering after a long valiant fight with a 9/11 related cancer. He and his wife Mary [nee Hagerty] would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on May 13. His pride and joy was his daughter Catherine.
He is also survived by his siblings : Lynn Cicero; Robert [Pat]; Cathy; Raymond [Cynthia]; Neil [Debbie] and Laura Barbarino [Roy]. He was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Madeline and his beloved Aunt Catherine.
Sean was an avid gardener and a proficient snow shoveler and shared these talents with many neighbors and friends. He was a helper and a problem solver, skills that he brought to his 22 year career as a firefighter with the FDNY.
Sean was able to wage his 4 year battle with cancer because of the caring and unwavering work of the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Sean’s memory to that wonderful organization.
DONATIONS
- FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation
Services
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Visitation
Saturday, May 8, 2021
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Funeral Mass
Monday, May 10, 2021
Memories
Sean D. Kenny
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ADD A MEMORYJim Stayoch
May 9, 2021
As a regular at Adobe Blues, Sean was loved, admired, and respected by all who knew him. His kindnesses, humor, and generosity were for the ages. He was his own man, who fought his own battles bravely and with distinction. Sean, you will be missed. May you rest in true peace.
Jacqueline Barbarino
May 9, 2021
Brave, Fighter, and Warrior are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of my Uncle Sean.
I’m struggling to find the right words to describe how I am feeling right now and there doesn’t seem to be any that quite fit at the moment. Our hearts are broken but at peace knowing our hero is no longer suffering. My uncle loved his job and his family, he always made sure that was known. I’ll always remember the times I spent having sleepovers at his house, they were always full of adventures, arts and crafts, and trips to Snug Harbor. I’ll never forget the time I didn’t get into the college of my dreams, I was devastated... the next day he showed up at my door asking what he could do. “What can I do?” were words he frequently said, he was the one you could always count on to get the job done.
We love you. We will miss you dearly. Say hello to Aunt Catherine❤️
I am so grateful for the FDNY for their kindness and for honoring my uncle the way he should be.
Dean Sabadina
May 8, 2021
Sean was such a warm soul who would go out of his way to help anyone. He had been there every step of the way through my journey of first coming to America from Australia. Starting of as a simple host at a local neighborhood bar to becoming his bartender and knowing his daily. He was always welcoming. Always willing to joke around. He had everyone’s back as long as you did good. I’ll never forget the memories of helping him in his later stages, to moving simple things, packing boxes, picking up leaves. Anything to spend time with him and to learn. He was always there to help me, and I’ll always be there for him in spirit.
You will be missed. Always in my heart.
Dorothy Gallie
May 8, 2021
Dear Sean, you were certainly a help to me over the years. Though I will miss you for so much more than that. You fought the good fight, and now you can rest. Rest in peace, brother.
Love,
Dorothy
Lenny Librizzi
May 8, 2021
I first met Sean when his daughter Catherine and my son Julian started preschool together. We bonded over our love for our families but also as neighbors who found many things to complain about when we chatted on the block. While we couldn’t solve some of the bigger problems in society we could make the neighborhood a nicer place. We were both gardeners so Sean especially would gather the leaves in the fall from all the neighbor’s yards to make mulch and compost. I would bring him tulip and daffodil bulbs which he planted in the tree pits. He got donated tree saplings and planted a mini Redbud tree forest on his block. In addition to their beautiful pink flowers in the spring, the Redbuds also have heart shaped leaves. They will be a living reminder of this man with a big heart.
McLoughlin Thomas
May 7, 2021
Sean came to 54 Engine shortly after I got there, and everything I've read here about Sean is so true. Always a smile, always ready to jump in and get things done. I wish I'd known he was going through his battle so I could have visited him again, but he was loved by all and he will be missed. Rest In Peace, Sean.
Connie Batlevi
May 7, 2021
I met Sean in 2017, when his lymphoma had returned again despite several treatments. As his physician, we shared together the many ups and downs he experienced. I learned he was a firefighter during 9/11 and after a 24h shift on 9/10, he dove right back into the flames. He made friends everywhere. The phlebotomist, nurses, and NYC firefighter drivers were his BFFs. He’s the guy who helped his 80yo neighbor hang Christmas lights. He’s the guy who would protect you from subway hooligans. When the Asian hate crimes happened recently, he made sure I promised to traveled safely all while his lymphoma was marching along. He trusted all of us so much. I’m so sad medicine could not do more for him. I can only work harder in his honor so to bring families less of this loss. I will always remember Sean and the way he lit up a room. May we imagine him a star lighting us the way.
John Hagemann
May 7, 2021
Sean and I met when he decided to be the driver of our proby school “car pool”. But only Sean drove. He picked up 5 others every day for the 6 weeks we went. At our homes mostly on the south shore. One fewer worry for the five of us. Every day was a joy and a peek at the fun to come. We stayed friends since and ran into each other on the north shore at bars and restaurants and music venues. What a thoroughly decent human being. Always a smile. Or smirk might be more correct because Sean always had something up his sleeve. I will miss his smile. And raise a glass next September 5th which will be the 40th anniversary of our swearing in at City Hall.
Lynn Cicero
May 7, 2021
In 1996 Sean ran the Olympic torch through the streets of NY. He was given the honor because of his community service. The person who was to run the next lap, didn't show and so Sean just kept running. That was Sean - helping out and just keeping on. Words can't describe how much he will be missed
Cathy Kenny
May 7, 2021
How fortunate we were to have a brother like Sean. He could solve any problem or job when the rest of us were left confounded or just before we thought all was lost. At one firehouse he told me they called him "MacGyver." That was Sean. He lived his life to the very end with courage very few of us have. How proud we are of him and how grateful we are to have had the FDNY as a brother to us all also. My family could not have managed his care without the FDNY's ever faithful help and support. God bless Sean and the all the other brothers.