Jonathan Ward Kenyon

Jonathan Ward Kenyon ("JK"), 68, of Summit, NJ died peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, surrounded by his family, after a short battle with cancer. Despite his terminal diagnosis, Jon's positive outlook on life never once changed.

To Jon, family meant everything. He was born and raised in Summit, NJ, a third generation Hilltopper, to Dolores "Kit" Kenyon and Edward Tipton "Tip" Kenyon. He met the love of his life, Celia Mulligan Kenyon (Ceci), also a Jersey native, in college at Lake Forest in Illinois. Ceci tells a story of seeing Jon tossing the frisbee on the quad, and instantly falling in love. Jon and Ceci married on July 9, 1983 at Morris County Golf Club. Together, they had Kelly (1986) and Sam (1988), and raised their family in Summit, NJ. Their marriage was anything short of incredible. Best friends, they would spend just shy of 44 years married, truly falling more in love every day. Their love for one another is eternal.

In 2015, Jon went from "JK" to "Grampy", when he welcomed his first grandchild. A proud Grampy to Wiley (10), Emma (8) and Colbie (20 months), he was born to be a grandfather. Often found on the floor playing, wrestling, tickling or cuddling, Grampy was simply just fun.

Aside from family, friends, mowing the lawn, playing golf and tossing the frisbee, Jon loved hockey. He was a fierce competitor, teammate, coach, referee and passionate Rangers fan. Having grown up playing hockey at the Beacon Hill Club in Summit, Jon spent 60+ years making memories and establishing lifelong friendships on the ice.

Hockey taught Jon about character and instilled life lessons that he lived by. He was the ultimate teammate to his family and friends. In the game of hockey, you must be resilient, and Jon embodied resiliency throughout his entire life, most noticeably in the last 9 months as he fought day after day to beat cancer. He was a dedicated husband, father, friend, mentor, coach and teammate. He always said "it's the little things". Going the extra step, or doing the little things, was part of who he was. He was just good.

Jon loved spending summers on Martha's Vineyard, where he would eventually watch his children get married and welcome his son-in-law David Haire and daughter-in-law Amanda Fitzpatrick.

Jon is survived by his wife Ceci, his daughter Kelly (Haire) and her husband Dave, his son Sam and his wife Amanda, and his 3 grandchildren Wiley Haire, Emma Haire and Colbie Kenyon. He also leaves behind his brothers David and wife Jone, Jim and his wife Susan and Ted Kenyon.

A celebration of life will be held at the Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, N.J., on Friday, January 30 at 11 a.m, followed by a reception at the Beacon Hill Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Overlook Hospital https://link.edgepilot.com/s/e96b005c/CDYZHB9lNE_dlIQ5L22Z8g?u=https://overlookfoundation.org/donate-now (Designation: Carol G. Simon Outpatient Cancer Center).