Joseph J. Kennington

Joseph Kennington
FDNY firefighter, ‘a quiet, friendly man with a good heart’
Joseph Kennington passed away peacefully on April 18, 2020, after a long illness.
Joseph is predeceased by his loving wife and childhood sweetheart, Mary, who passed away in 2018. The end of April would have marked their 60th wedding anniversary. Joseph was born and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He is a proud graduate of St. Peter’s Boys High School and attended John Jay College. He proudly served his country by joining the US Air Force after high school. He then became a firefighter for the FDNY and retired after 33 years of service. Being a New York City firefighter is one of his proudest accomplishments.
In 1978 Joseph and Mary, along with their six young daughters, moved to the Oakwood Heights section of Staten Island. Joseph was very mechanically inclined. He was so proud to have a garage filled with tools. Many believed that he could fix almost anything. He was a quiet, friendly man. He had a good heart and would love to help anyone in need. His children share many memories of him helping people. He liked to work in his garden. He grew the most delicious tomatoes and beautiful roses. He was happiest having family dinners with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a real DIYer. There was no home or car repair that he wouldn’t attempt. We have plenty of stories but not enough room to tell.
He will be dearly missed by his children: Kathleen (Anthony) Donadio, Irene (Steve) Hamm, Marie (Matt) Gardiner, Delia (Artie) Lynch, Denise (John) Jacoby, Joan (Michael) Agnello. He was adored by his fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, there will be a private family visitation at Cherubini McInerney Funeral Home, 1289 Forest Avenue. A Funeral Mass and a Christian Burial will be planned at a later date.