Michael Allan "Mike" Kenyon

MILO - Michael "Mike" Allan Kenyon, it is with great sadness that the family of announces his death on June 25, 2021 from cancer. Comforted by his loving family and trusted dog, Jackson, he passed at his home in the town of Milo.

Mike's daughters and their families will greet relatives and friends from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday (July 1) at the Himrod Field and Stream Conservation Club Pavilion, 770 Rice Rd Himrod, NY 14842. For those unable to attend, a future gathering is being planned at the Meadowburg farm in Rhode Island.

Memorial donations may be made to The Friends of the Keuka Outlet Trail, the Himrod Volunteer Fire Department or any youth sport program that gives kids the opportunity to put down their electronic devices and have some fun.

Mike was born in 1945, the seventh child of the late Henry and Margaret (Ryan) Kenyon of Richmond, R.I. His family owned and operated Meadowburg Dairy farm. Of the lessons learned from his older siblings, it was the game of baseball that had the greatest impact. At Chariho High School, he was coached by his brother (Henry "Skip" Kenyon) and developed his skills as a left-handed pitcher. After graduating from Chariho in 1963, Mike played minor league baseball for the New York Mets organization from 1965 until 1968. During this period, Mike also pursued a Bachelor's degree in physical education at Ithaca College, which he earned in 1970.

After college, Mike spent several years as a physical education teacher, first at the Northville Central School District from 1970 to 1971, and then at Unatego High School from 1971 to 1974. In 1971, returning to his farming roots, he started Kenyon Meadows Dairy farm in Franklin and Unadilla, N.Y. In 1974, he and his young family moved the farm to Himrod, N.Y. He was an accomplished dairy farmer for years until transitioning to restaurant owner in the summer of 1993. He owned and operated the Dairyman's Diner in Dresden, N.Y., for 27 years. Few would be surprised that it took an unexpected diagnosis and a pandemic for him to consider closing this successful business, which he did in the fall of 2020.

Many will remember Mike for his years of playing recreational sports, coaching, livestock trading and low-stakes wagering on sporting events. His favorite cows were black and white (Holstein), his favorite tractors were green (John Deere, of course) and his favorite MLB baseball team was red (Boston Red Sox, although any team who beat the Yankees ranked nearly as high).

He is survived by his daughter Kristy (husband, Anthony Validzic) Kenyon of Geneva, N.Y.; their children Grace and Jack; his daughter, Stacy (husband, Barry Widrick) Kenyon of Lowville, N.Y.; their children Kaitlyn and Nathan; his daughters mother, Ann (Kenyon) Maher of Newport, N.Y.; as well as his siblings Charles Kenyon of Fla., Madeline Cancel of Puerto Rico, Rita Nuuttila and Francis Kenyon of R.I.

He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters Margaret Claire Young and Constance Kenyon; and two brothers Henry E. "Skip" Kenyon and John Kenyon.

To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.townsendwoodzinger.com