James M. Kenney

James Michael Kenney, 73, of Athol, MA passed peacefully the morning of September 14th in Worcester, MA. He was born September 17, 1950 in Leominster, MA to William Granville Kenney and Margaret Anna (Sherry) Kenney.

James was a 1968 graduate of Leominster High School. He received his undergraduate degree in Special Education at Fitchburg State College in 1972, and continued on to receive his Masters in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College in 1978. He was a proud member of the Fenwick Society. He ran North Central Alcohol Commissions Outpatient Therapy for many years, later merging with Spectrum Health Services. He was active with the Leominster Rotary Club and the Worcester AIDS Consortium. He then moved on to manage Habit Management Corporation in Brockton, MA, and implemented a mobile methadone program in surrounding areas. He later became a Program Director at the Willis Center briefly before his retirement.

He was a loving Husband of 46 years to Julie Therese Kenney, who passed recently on July 9th of this year. A dedicated and supportive father to three sons, Jason, Shawn, and Timothy, and loving grandfather to Fiona and Arianna. He was an inspiring coach, mentor, and friend to many. He dedicated many years to local youth sports in the Athol-Orange area. He served as President and board member of the Athol Little League for many years. He ran and coached many YMCA youth sports leagues, and school teams. He was very proud of all the players and coaches of the teams he coached, often watching, and following their games in the newspapers he read every day.

James is survived by his sons, Jason Kenney and his wife Susan of Ware, Shawn Kenney and his wife Danna of Babylon, NY, and Timothy Kenney and his wife Ashley of Hubbardston; granddaughters Fiona and Arianna; brother Clifford Kenney and his wife Nancy of Ocean Park, ME; sister-in-law Cynthia Kenney of Adkins, TX; dear friends Robert and Karen Reynolds of Binghamton, NY; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Julie Kenney; parents William and Margaret Kenney; and brother William Kenney.

Jim and Julie's favorite place was Ocean Park, Maine, where they shared many amazing memories with family and friends. There will be a celebration of life for close family and friends in Ocean Park in the near future.

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