Joe was accepted to his dream school in 2013 – The University of Colorado in Boulder. This was another life changing event for Joe. But a positive one. He studied environmental science and excelled at school and all things Colorado. He rushed a frat (was deemed best pledge) and became a proud Kappa Sigma brother. He got an Epic Ski pass each year and was disappointed when he “only snowboarded 53 times this year.” Really, he was still doing well in school. I swear. He survived the big flood in Colorado where he tubed down the creek and dove on a water slide through the middle of campus. He broke his arm longboarding down the Hill. He had a ski ramp off the back of his house one year and a die table in the front the next. He traveled all around skiing and hiking any terrain in front of him - Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge. He drove to Lake Mead, Flathead National Forest, back and forth across the country two times – with special guests each time. Joe’s car didn’t have GPS or XM radio and if I had to guess, the windows were down most of the time. He always sent photos home. Not of him and his friends, but mostly of what he was seeing and how beautiful it was. Joe traveled to Australia his Junior year abroad. From there he went to New Zealand and deemed it the most beautiful place he’s ever seen. He went to Costa Rica his last spring break where he experienced monkeys, sunset cruises and “bobbing.” He traveled to London after graduation and spent a couple of weeks there with some of his boys. These were some of Joe’s favorite days. He made friends that became his brothers away from home. It was this group that named him “YJK” – Young Joe Kenney. Because even then, Joe wanted to live life like there was no tomorrow- seeing the world through the eyes of a young boy. These friends were kindred spirits – and he always looked forward to seeing them again.
After Joe graduated, we were blessed that he moved back to Boston. Of course, we all knew deep down Joe’s heart was in Colorado, so we just kept our fingers crossed that the more engrained he became here, the longer he would stay. He started working for the family business, W.T. Kenney Co. He was the 4th generation. He was hired as an Estimator, then became an Assistant Project Manager and most recently a Project Manager. Well, he actually started as a painter in high school. Let me take this opportunity and just talk about Joe’s work ethic for a minute. In high school he worked at Russell’s Garden Center throughout the year. They even hired him back in college during Christmas season to load trees on cars. He hesitantly asked for a raise there once to $7.25 an hour. He would have stayed even if they didn’t give it to him. He loved it there and they loved him. Because he started when he didn’t have his license, he often rode his bike to work when he couldn’t get a ride. He just made it happen. He also worked for the Kenney Co. painting during the summers. This was not always an easy job. But Joe did it (I won’t say without complaint) and worked hard so he never had to ask us for money. And he never did. He simply got it done. One of our favorite sayings describing Joe was, “he went out with the boys, and got up with the men.” Anyway, Joe became a valuable member of the Kenney Co. He was killing it. He had over a million dollars in business his second year in – and that was just through October. Here again, people loved Joe and wanted to help him succeed. And he did.
Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Joe’s family and I could write a whole separate page on us- maybe I will eventually. We are a big set of gears that all revolve around one another. Joe and Alli were a team before anyone else came along. More recently, they were a team again – living only 1 mile apart from each other in Boston and socializing constantly, usually for dinner or spending time hanging out on Joe’s roof top deck. Let me mention again here Joe’s LOVE for food. This was something he and Alli enthusiastically shared. Always planning their next meal and talking about it like it was the greatest event ever. Some of their favorites included lobster mac n’ cheese, chicken Bellagio and Fukakyu. Most importantly, they were friends. Next came Mikey. He and Joe were inseparable from the beginning. Instant best friends. They shared the most important thing – as different as they were, they always respected each other and just plain loved each other’s company. They had a symbiotic relationship and always played off one another. They were lucky enough to spend last Mardi Gras (2019) in New Orleans together. This is where Mikey’s friends coined Joe “Fun Mike.” A memory that will be cherished forever. Then came Cal. His admiration for Joe started when he was little and continued on. It was a mutual admiration. Joe was an encouraging, supportive big brother, always excited to watch Cal’s games on Friday nights and wherever they would take him while he played for Amherst. He included Cal in everything. Cal and Joe were hot tub buddies. They would sit for hours under the stars talking about life as brothers and friends. As a son, we couldn’t ask for more. He made us proud every day in all that he did. Always keeping in touch, thanking us and telling us he loved us. He kept the gears running smoothly - and for that we will be forever grateful.
Joe hated country music, traffic, was slightly impatient, and could not for the life of him figure out why there were 5 work days and only 2 days for play. He was fiercely loyal, reverenced food, loved his family, dogs and friends with a passion. He was the first to respond to a family text and the first to wish you happy birthday. He was quietly faithful. The beautiful outdoors was his altar.
Joe left us on October 18, 2019. He was at the home he grew up in Sudbury, MA with his two dogs, Maggie and Cody by his side. He died from Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Joe still had lots left to do in his life. Places he wanted to visit and hang his hammock. Time, he wanted to spend with his family and friends. We know he isn’t with us physically anymore, but his spirit continues on in every sunset, rainbow, cardinal, green orb, dragonfly, dime, Bald Eagle and any other symbols he is sending us that he is still with us. We will keep speaking to Joe as if he is in the room with us, laughing at the little jokes we shared until we meet again. Thank you for 24 and one-half amazing years.
Good-bye, good luck and we love you!
All For One and One For All! Forever!