John Michael Kilkenny

Lt. Col. (Retired) John Michael Kilkenny passed away peacefully on March 2, 2022, to be met at Heaven’s Pearly Gates by his beloved wife of 59 years, Gail McGovern Kilkenny, who passed away peacefully on September 21, 2020 with her sons by her side.

John was born on October 13, 1940, in Teaneck, NJ, to parents Michael Joseph (“Joe”) Kilkenny and Gertrude Kilkenny. His father died when John was 3 months old. John was raised in Massapequa Park, NY, by his mother, grandfather Charlie, and stepfather Daniel Kane, along with his younger siblings Bob, Linda, Danny, Kevin, and Kathy Kane.

John graduated from Loyola College in Maryland, where he played guard on the varsity basketball team and was a member of the ROTC program. Shortly after graduating, he joined the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant and rose through the ranks to Lieutenant Colonel. His service included two one-year combat tours in Vietnam, with his first tour as a patrol boat commander and his second tour in the 1st Cavalry (Air Mobile) Division as a helicopter pilot and battalion commander. He was stationed throughout the U.S. from Texas to Connecticut and dozens of bases in between, relocating 43 times. While stationed in Japan, his youngest son Kevin was born. A highly decorated officer, John was very proud of his accomplishments.

John also earned an MBA from Babson College in Massachusetts and continued demonstrating his leadership skills as class president. Upon retiring from the military, he joined the Aerospace Division of Allied Signal as a second career, splitting his time between Washington, DC, and Williamsburg, VA. He and Gail moved to Williamsburg upon his retirement from the private sector.

John and Gail were devoted parents to their three sons: Michael (Susan) of Carmel, IN; Greg (Beth) of Castle Rock, CO; and Kevin (Laurie) of Williamsburg, VA. They were loving grandparents to Jason, David, Matthew, Sam, Keira, and Brendan Kilkenny. As a grandfather, John proudly shared his views on service to our country during Veterans Day activities at Walsingham Academy (Williamsburg) and by participating in Park Tudor School’s (Indianapolis) Oral History Project regarding military service. Attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and basketball games at The College of William & Mary gave him great joy.

During his prime, John was an avid golfer and cyclist. He was often seen on the links at Kingsmill and was occasionally mistaken for professional golfer Curtis Strange, who resided at Kingsmill. When asked for his autograph, John would sheepishly – and without explanation – sign his own name, which greatly perplexed the requestor. Another amusing aspect of John’s life was the formation of Triangle Construction with his future brothers-in-law while in high school; there was likely more showmanship than workmanship. John was a very talented artist, focusing on pen and ink drawings as well as abstract art – another unique facet of John’s life.

John is preceded in death by parents, wife, brother Danny Kane, and brothers-in-law Jim McGovern, George McGovern, and John McGovern. In addition to his sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, John is survived by his sisters-in-law Ann DeLaney (Edward) of Indianapolis; Patricia McGovern of Columbia, SC; and Mary McGovern of Virginia Beach; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by siblings Bob, Linda, Kevin, and Kathy Kane.

John and Gail will be memorialized at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, MD 21228 or to Walsingham Academy, 1100 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185.