Obituary

Inwood native Joseph Kenn Jr. dies at 73

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Whether smoking a good cigar, being at the beach or with his family, Joseph Kenn Jr. always tried to enjoy his life to the fullest.

Kenn, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, died at the FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst on March 16. The former Inwood resident was 73.

Born July 29, 1945 in Far Rockaway to the late Joseph Guilford Kenn and Doris Alice Furneau Kenn, he attended the Florida Air Academy in Melbourne, Fla., after he graduated high school.


He worked for Sanitary District 1 in Lawrence for 45 years. The district is responsible for collecting the trash and recyclables in the Five Towns and a few surrounding communities. Kenn served as president for the Long Island Sanitation Officials Association and was named the organization’s Man of the Year. He also served as an Inwood Fire District commissioner from 2000 to 2007.

Kenn played on the original Inwood Buccaneers football team, and was a Buccaneer coach for many years. The Inwood Buccaneers are a youth sports organization founded in 1956. An avid sports fan, he was a huge supporter of the Lawrence High School football team.

George Pappas, mayor of Atlantic Beach and S.D. 1 superintendent, shared a close relationship with Kenn. “Mr. Kenn treated me like family and helped mold me into the person I am today,” Pappas posted on Facebook. “He disciplined me, hugged me and loved me all at the same time. I’ve lost both of my parents and so many close family members but JK not being here anymore hurts a lot.”

Kenn was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Caroline Ann Kenn, a sister, Judy Boggs and brother-in-law, James Boggs. He is survived by his daughter Dorianne Kenn; son, Joseph Kenn and his wife Angela; four grandchildren, Joseph Kenn IV, Peter Kenn, Doug Harrison and James Harrison; great-grandchildren, Leighton Kenn and Joseph Kenn V; a niece, Jennifer Boggs and two nephews, Jimmy Boggs and Jeffrey Boggs. Several relatives and friends in New York and North Carolina also survive him.

A memorial funeral Mass was held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinehurst on March 26.

“I will continue to carry on the legend of Joe Kenn with my actions and the stories that can never get old,” Pappas wrote on Facebook. “Rest in peace Mr. Kenn, I love you with all my heart.”