James Joseph Kenney

Newport, RI - James Joseph Kenney, 98, of 53 Gibbs Avenue, Newport, RI, died Monday, January 2, 2012 at Village House Nursing Home, Newport, RI.He was the husband of the late Marie Murphy Kenney. Born in Newport, RI on May 11, 1913, he was the son of the late Martin A. and Mary McMahon Kenney.Mr. Kenney worked as a machinist for the Newport Naval Torpedo Station. Jim was a 1931 graduate of De La Salle Academy. He was a longstanding member of the Newport Knights of Columbus and the Tennis Hall of Fame Association. Jim was an avid tennis player and fan. He enjoyed the beach, visiting with friends and listening to Jazz.He is survived by his children, Sr. Margaret Kenney, SSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA, Marie Thompson and her husband Patrick of College Station, TX, James J. Kenney Jr. and his wife Laurel of Portsmouth, RI, Martin Kenney and his wife Joann of Norwood, MA, and Alice Hamilton and her husband Arthur of North Kingstown, RI, his sister Sr. Alice Kenney SSJ of Holyoke, MA, twelve grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.Mr. Kenney was the brother of the late Edward Kenney. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2012, from 4-8pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.His funeral will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 9:00am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Josephs Church, Broadway and Mann Avenue, Newport.Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in his memory may be made to Sisters of St. Josephs, 34 Lower Westfield Road, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to St. Josephs Church, Mann Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.