William Lloyd Kenny

William Lloyd Kenny, age 90, passed away on Monday October 27, 2014 at Freedom Inn in Scottsdale, AZ. Bill was a 62 year resident of Rosemont, PA. Son of the late William P. and Catherine Lawlor Kenny, he was born on January 30, 1924 in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. He grew up in a fishing village in Newfoundland, where he worked as a fisherman off the Grand Banks. In 1941, when World War II erupted, he joined the Canadian Merchant Navy. Two years later, the American government purchased the ship and asked Bill and his crewmates to serve on the ship in the war effort under the U.S. flag. He agreed and served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. He stayed on the U.S. Ship until 1946 and his service included working on a military hospital ship as an engineer. After his military service, he was granted residency in the U.S., became a citizen and worked at ITE (Gould) as a precision grinder in the machine shop for 37 years. He eventually saved enough money to purchase a home in West Chester, PA and then he brought his mother, father, brothers and sisters down from Newfoundland. He spent over 50 years volunteering with special needs youngsters at St. Edmond's Home in Rosemont, PA. He also worked with youngsters at Melmark Home. He served on the counseling programs at the Don Guanella School for Boys, Haverford State Hospital and Pennhurst School and Hospital. He was employed by the Valley Forge Council as a Boy Scout consultant. He was an instructor for Learning Disabled Cub Scouts in Chester, PA. He organized and initiated the first handicapped Boy Scout Troop #652 at St. Edmond's Home which served as a model and inspired the development of "Special Needs Troops" nationwide. Eleven boys from his troop, some severely handicapped, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His memberships included the following: President of the Rosemont Optimist Club for over 20 years; Member of Optimist International - Lieutenant Governor (2 yrs.), President (3 yrs.), Honor Club Member; Archdiocese of Philadelphia - Public Relations Representative, Secretary and Treasurer; Chairman of the Catholic Committee on Scouting; National Boy Scout Jamborees - Public Relations Committee and Scoutmaster; Member of the St. Thomas of Villanova Parish. Bill received numerous awards. Two of the most prestigious were 1) The Alexis deTocqueville Society Award in 1989. United Way's highest civilian recognition of exemplary voluntarism which is given to people whose lives embody the spirit of selfless commitment to helping others. 2) Boy Scouts of America National Hall of Leadership Award in Washington, D.C. on July 25, 2000. This was a once in a century honor Celebrating Scouting's 100th Anniversary. Bill was one of two grand marshals for the Boy Scouts 100th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C. Part of Bill's everyday life for over 50 years was to help to bring joy, confidence and achievement to scores of children, most of them victims of cerebral palsy. Bill's work extended far beyond scouting, as a volunteer for many other organizations. He was the beloved husband of the late Rita Kenny (nee Falcone). Devoted father of Patricia A. Fleming (Brian), Robert B. Kenny, Barbara J. Hannan (John) and the late Joseph W. Kelly. Dear brother of Leo Kenny (Pat), Jerome Kenny (Rose), Josephine McCorry, Sheila Boyle (Joe), Catherine Kenny and the late Robert, Ned, Thomas, Gerald and Jeannie Kenny and Mary Moore (Ken). Loving grandfather of Donna Murphy Laubach, Robyn Fox (Eric), Scott Hannan (Tammy), Andrew Hannan (Megan) and Travis Hannan (Megan). He is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren, 1 great great-granddaughter and over 70 beloved nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday November 18, 10 AM at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the University Campus, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Church after 9 AM. Interment will follow in St. Denis Cemetery, Havertown, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Boy Scouts of America - Cradle of Liberty Council, 1485 Valley Forge Rd., Wayne PA 19087 or to St. Thomas of Villanova Parish, 1229 E. Lancaster Ave., Rosemont, PA 19010. Funeral arrangements by McConaghy Funeral Home, Ardmore. www.mcconaghyfuneralhome.com