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James Keniston Obituary
Keniston, 66
SOUTH PORTLAND -- James 'Jimmy' Peter Keniston, 66, passed away on June 19, 2014, peacefully surrounded by friends and family after a year long illness.
Jimmy was born in Portland on Nov. 9, 1947, the son of Charles F. and Carrie (Pillsbury) Keniston.
A lifelong resident of South Portland, Jimmy was a graduate of South Portland High School and attended college at what is now SMCC.
During the Vietnam War, Jimmy volunteered for the Army and served overseas and in Vietnam as a specialist combat paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade ('Sky Soldiers').
Jimmy worked for many years with the railroad at Rigby Yard in South Portland, and eventually retired from Southworth-Milton Caterpillar in Scarborough.
A lifelong outdoorsman, Jimmy enjoyed various pursuits, including gardening, scuba diving, hunting, fishing and camping. The love of nature helped to foster the construction of his 'camp' in the Western Maine Mountains, which he shared with friends and family. This log cabin in the woods served not only as a retreat, but as a focal point for many of life's adventures.
Jimmy took special interest in creating folk-art projects. His work drew inspiration from our natural surroundings, and often incorporated nature as a medium. Some of his pieces, which he referred to as 'outsider art' have been showcased in local galleries.
Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife Patricia Keniston of South Portland; his son Andrew and daughter Kelly (Keniston) Ansley; as well as brothers Charlie, Steve, Billy, sister Mary Lou; and a close extended family.
His legacy in life was in his thoughtfulness toward others, and his tireless acts of kindness and generosity touching many people for generations to come.
Services will be held on Monday, June 23, with visiting from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and a service with military honors immediately following at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. A reception will follow at the Elizabeth Hobbs Hospitality Center. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements made by Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.
In lieu of flowers, send donations to: Cancer Community Center
778 Main St.
South Portland, Maine 04106
and MCCM
100 U.S. Route 1, Unit 107
Scarborough, Maine 04074
James Peter
Keniston
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Keniston
Dave Levesque
June 16, 2025
Lest we forget
Sonny
June 15, 2025
R.I.P.
Sonny
Kelly
February 1, 2024
I love you dad. We miss you.
Sonny McAlpin
June 15, 2023
R.I.P.
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Sonny McAlpin
June 16, 2020
Always remembered,my pal Jimmy !!
Sonny McAlpin
June 23, 2019
5 years gone,NEVER forgotten.....
Dave Levesque
June 16, 2019
Jimmy died June 19, 2014. My last picture from him said "finally getting up in the world" signed God's country Byron Maine summer '06 with an arrow through his name. I loved him like a brother. Enough said.
Mary Cribby-Flood
July 20, 2014
Patty & Family,
I just heard about Jimmy. My sympathy goes out to all of you. He was a great guy! He will always have a special place in my heart.
SPHS CLASS of 1966
June 26, 2014
We will be celebrating our 50th class reunion in 2016 and we will miss having Jimmy there. We heard that he wanted to be there with us and somehow I think he will still join us. A bright light has left this world much too soon....he will be missed. RIP, Jimmy and thanks for all you did for your friends, your classmates, your country....
Moira O'Regan
June 26, 2014
My hugs to the Keniston family. I have known Jimmy since my junior year when I arrived at SPHS. What a sweetheart. No matter how many years passed, when I would run into him, it was as if no time had ever gone by...always that giant smile and hug and laugh. He loved every moment of life. That bright new shiny star you see in the night sky is Jimmy's smile. There was never a more genuine, brighter smile than his.
Paula Mallory
June 23, 2014
We dated in high school and he was my friend . We played a lot of pool and he got me to school many many times picking me up in his Dad's white Caddie with the fins . He loved that car ! He was the best .
Phil Jones
June 23, 2014
Jimmy may you rest in peace. I met you when I was a freshman at SPHS. I always looked up to then. In the early seventies we had some great times. Everytime i ran into you over the years it was always a joy.
I loved to here about you children and Patti as them years went by. You will be missed. You did a good job when you were here on earth.
Sonny McAlpin
June 22, 2014
Always good times with Jimmy,and a whole lot of laughs to go with them.
Jimmy was like a brother I never had.
Save me a seat at the Seven-O,I'm buying!
Sonny
Madeline and Pearl
June 22, 2014
I was just a girl walking her dog in the neighborhood when I was lucky enough to become connected with Jimmy and Patty. They had recently lost their dog Daisy when I first saw the honorable man Jimmy was. He was so free with his love and tears. He was the real Deal! We were buds from then on...
He was always my bright light while on my walks . Full of positive energy and a robust passion for living.
Always wanting to help me with projects at my house. Which he would only take a hug and a thank you for.
He will be sadly missed but deeply remembered in my heart.
Thank you Patty and family for sharing him with us so gracefully.
You're all in my thoughts.
June 22, 2014
Bill;
Sorry to hear about Jimmy!!! He was a good guy!!
sam coughlin
Francine (O'Brien) Libby
June 21, 2014
Jimmy was a great entertainer when I was a kid and he stayed at our camp. He would say to me "watch this one" as he made many cannonball dives off the end of the dock. When I was struggling with a school art project he helped me. I will remember his kindness and smile. Hope he runs into Obie up there!
June 21, 2014
Thank you for your service.
Dave Levesque
June 21, 2014
I first met Jimmy with Steve & Billy at the DQ in Cash Corner around 1962.They were getting ready to kick my butt. Later we became good friends and co workers at Rigby Yard. I spent a lot of time with Jimmy & Patty from the Congress St & Emery St apartments to their house on Mass Ave. We camped, hiked, fished, and hunted(he shot left-handed) together all over the state. We brought home partridge, deer, and hen clams from Richmond Island. His clam casserole was the best.....In everyone's lifetime, they usually meet someone who is special. That was Jimmy. No one better ever lived on this planet. I will miss him forever. My heart goes out to Patty and the family. It's an unbelievable loss to everyone.
Randy Jordan
June 21, 2014
Some of the best times in my life were with Jimmy and Patty. Jimmy let everyone he ever knew be part of his family. He was the best. I know he will have everything, set up when I get there, until then rest in peace. Brother.
Attention , slow hand salute , as you were
Ron Perreault
June 21, 2014
My deepest heartfelt condolences to Pat , your children , siblings and loved ones. Jimmy , you were such a giving , loving and sincere man of your word. You , on many occasions guided me through some difficult times as a Disabled Veteran , that was your giving nature. I still recall the newspaper article you wrote in honor of our fallen classmates. As we read the article we both shed tears on the shipping dock at Cat. The article was a success and a street was named after a friends life that was taken to soon in Vietnam. That was a very sentimental moment for us both! I would always enjoy your smile and warm greeting when I arrived to pick up parts. While conducting business we always had a good laugh with jokes we exchanged and reminisce of good times we shared in life. There will be a shinning new star in the sky watching over us. Rest in eternal peace old friend.
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