In Memoriam: Longtime Little Silver Resident, Co-Founder of Holy Cross Athletic Program, Joe Kenney Sr., 87

Longtime Little Silver resident, Joe Kenney Sr., passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his beloved family, on March 17. He was 87.

Born April 30, 1937, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, “Joe thrived in the loving embrace of his parents, brother and large extended family whose firm foundation was built on their Catholic faith.”

Joe attended New Bedford High School and enjoyed his summers sailing at Tabor Academy. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame.

Upon graduation, Joe moved to New York City, earned his MBA from New York University and soon began a distinguished 37-year career as an equity portfolio manager at Merrill Lynch. He also served as a reservist in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1966.

“At Merrill, Joe was a mentor and friend to many. He cherished those friendships and nurtured them for the remainder of his life … Throughout his life, he loved reading, sailing, golfing and following his favorite teams …

“Joe’s dedication to his family was absolute. While living in New York, Joe met and fell hopelessly in love with Eileen Gannon. They married May 4, 1963, moved to the New Jersey shore and together raised a family of eight children. He was the essence of a devoted husband and selfless father.

“Before moving his family to Yardley, PA, Joe was a co-founder of the athletic program at Holy Cross School in Rumson and also served as the varsity girls basketball coach. In Yardley, he was a member of the Trenton Country Club and a board member of the Riverside Symphonia. The enduring friendships from these days brought immeasurable joy to his life.

“Joe and Eileen were blessed with 25 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He delighted in his time with each and every one of them. Known as ‘Grampy’ to the children, his freezer was always stocked with homemade cookies. He never missed a sacrament, a game, a school play, an ice cream date or an opportunity to gently rib those who dared to stray from his Red Sox and Fighting Irish. Each grandchild felt special in his presence.

“Joe lived his faith in times of celebration and sorrow. He was known for bringing comfort to family and friends with a homemade meal, a pound cake and the promise of prayer. He was a man of impeccable integrity and he led a life of quiet, uncompromising example.”

Joe was predeceased by: his beloved wife of nearly 62 years, Eileen Gannon Kenney; his parents, Teresa Westby and John Duff Kenney; his infant brother, John Duff Kenney Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ann (Hudak) Kenney; and Eileen’s sister and brother-in-law Mary Jane and Peter E. Warshaw.

He is survived by: his children and their spouses, Mary Eileen Baltes (Mike), of Doylestown, PA; John (Mary), of Wayzata, MN; Joseph (Darrah), of Rumson; Anne, of Little Silver; William (Dorothy), of Rumson; Teresa Sperber (Paul), of Rumson; Gerard (Stephanie), of Rumson; and Patrick (Jill), of Fairfield, CT; his grandchildren and his great grandchild; his beloved brother, William W. Kenney, of Norwalk, CT; Eileen’s cherished brother and sister-in-law, William J. III and Rosemary D. Gannon, of Chatham; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A mass of christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Rumson. Friends and relatives are invited to visitation at Holy Cross Church on Friday, March 21, from 3 to 6 p.m..

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home

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