Photo courtesy of Reed & Benoit Funeral Home Inc. - Watertown
May 14, 1945 - Sep 10, 2025
Too many memories to reflect on. One thought: we kept a little log book of the bars we visited at college - had over 100 entries. RIP
Terry Olmsted
September 19, 2025 | Rexford, NY | Family
The green Ford Torino he rode brother Jim and I
Jim Dills
September 15, 2025 | Friend
So sorry for your loss John was a great guy enjoyed working with him at grays flower shop
Paul Blanchard
September 14, 2025 | Watertown, NY
Our condolences to John’s family. He was a great friend to the Village of Sackets Harbor. During his years at the DEC John was always available to answer questions and offer guidance in complying with regulation's. He served for almost 20 years on the village Zoning Board of Appeals and never missed a meeting. RIP John, you will be missed.
JP Constance
Jon Constance
September 14, 2025 | Sackets Harbor, NY | Friend
Please know how sorry we are in the passing of your Dad
Dave &Kathy Van Ness
September 14, 2025 | Sackets Harbor
John, I'll miss you buddy. I didn't know you were sick until too late to say good-bye. I shall always remember your love of the --Cool 78-- and the Gran Torino which remained elusive. Also, our time at my garage where I always kept a supply of --COORS LIGHT just for you. Finally ,I shall always remember your jolly and oh so happy words about the state of THINGS in general!!
Dave Murphy
September 13, 2025 | Friend
SACKETS HARBOR, NY - John P. Kenna, 80, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Samaritan Medical Center.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 20, 2025 in St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Sackets Harbor. Calling hour will precede the Mass from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery, Sackets Harbor.
John was born in Elmira, NY in 1945 to Jane and L. Pierce Kenna. He spent his childhood there, along with his elder brother Larry, and his younger brothers Jim and Tom. John graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1963, after which he attended the NYS College of Forestry (now SUNY ESF), graduating in 1967. One year later, he completed his degree in Civil Engineering at Syracuse University. John served as an engineer for the Department of Environmental Conservation from its formation in 1970 until his retirement in 2003.
John took joy in his family – his three sons and their children, all of whom adored him as well. In his youth, he loved skiing. He enjoyed the company of friends (sometimes in spite of himself). He was a lifelong fan of Syracuse athletics. John could often be seen bicycling around Sackets Harbor, where he was a longstanding parishioner of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. John was an avid and voracious reader, and dedicated patron of the Hay Memorial Library in Sackets. After retirement, he was quite proud of his silver 1978 Corvette, which carried him to car shows around New York State.
John is survived by his brothers James and Thomas; their wives Sara and Mary Jo; Katherine, widow to his brother Lawrence; his ex-wife Jennifer; his son Timothy and Timothy’s children Liam and Cara; his son Eric, Eric’s wife Kathleen, and their children Meghan, Benjamin, and Molly; as well as his son Brian, and Brian’s wife Katherine.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to: Children Inc., PO Box 72848, North Chesterfield, Virginia, 23235-8021or Upstate Foundation, 750 E Adams St., Syracuse, NY 14120, Fund #23850, Lukie’s SOUL Fund.
Arrangements are with Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Inc. and condolences may be left online at www.reedbenoit.com.
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