Michael Kenney

Michael Thomas Kenney, 88, of Duluth died peacefully in the early morning of November 22. He is now with his Savior. He was born April 19, 1929 in Alpha, Michigan, to David and Clara (White) Kenney.  He grew up in Mastodon Township, Michigan, the 4th of 6 children. Living through the depression and World War II he logged, hunted, and trapped. He was a versatile athlete, playing on championship basketball teams and in track events as diverse as the 400 meter and the shot putt. The family eventually built The Gay Gables, a popular dance hall, on the shores of Stager Lake that featured nationally known dance bands.  In 1952, while on leave from the U.S. Army, he met the love of his life, Marie Josephine King of Dublin, Ireland. After a brief long-distance romance, they married and remained in love and dedicated to each other until her death in June of 2014. Michael graduated from Michigan Tech in 1958 and soon took a position with Minnesota Power and Light, working there until his retirement in 1992. As time passed he was entirely devoted to his family; 6 children and their spouses, 25 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren laughed, worked and celebrated with him through the years. He will be remembered as “Granddad”, a strong, generous, wise and always kind man, and the greatest bedtime storyteller of all time.

Preceded in death by: His parents; his siblings, David and Kathleen (Peterson).

Michael is survived by his loving children, David Kenney (Regina), Catherine Kenney, Michael Kenney (Jodie), Patrick Kenney, William Kenney (Carie), and John Kenney (Teresa); his treasured grandchildren, David, Kathleen, Regina, William, Jennifer, Theresa, Debbie, Tyler, Spencer, Emma, Michael, Ava, Theodore, Bridget, Patrick, Caitlin, Megan, Michael, Makayla, William, Malia, Carrick, Georgia, Peter, and David; his adored great-grandchildren, Kyle, Shawn, Ryan, Isabelle, Kagan and Mira; his Brother Charles Kenney of Paw Paw, Michigan; his sisters Jean Kenney of Escanaba, Michigan, and Joan Veeser of Duluth, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews. Michael was a member of Saint Lawrence/ Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church of Duluth.

Visitation will be held on Monday Nov. 27, 2017 from 5PM to 7PM with a 6:30PM Wake Service in Dougherty Funeral Home. 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805, and will continue Tuesday November 28, 2017 from 10AM until the 11AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. 151 W. Linden St. Duluth, MN 55811. Interment in Calvary Cemetery.  Military Honors will be Accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St, Duluth, MN 55805.