Sinclair Fuller Kenney Jr.

Sinclair Fuller Kenney, Jr., of Warwick, Rhode Island, has passed away at the age of 81, surrounded by his loving family.

Known to nearly everyone as Bob - a nickname bestowed by his older sister Carol when she was a toddler who asked for "Bobby" instead of "the baby," - he was a proud, lifelong Rhode Islander. Bob grew up in the Edgewood neighborhood of Cranston, where he attended Cranston East High School and graduated in 1963. He spent most of his waking hours at the Edgewood Yacht Club as part of a merry gang of sailing kids, where he crewed races and was the launch (a.k.a. "crash") boat driver - an early hint at a lifelong love of boats, camaraderie, and ingenuity.

Bob graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1967 and went on to a long and successful career as an industrial engineer in the jewelry industry. He worked at Speidel before settling at Uncas Manufacturing, where he spent over 30 years. His career took him on adventures well beyond Rhode Island, including trips to China to oversee production for Disney jewelry.

Bob's greatest love was his family. He is survived by Elaine, the love of his life, whom he met as a new kid in the neighborhood in junior high school. Bob and Elaine married in 1972 and made their home in Warwick, where they raised their two daughters, Laura and Jessica. Bob became very close to their husbands, Caleb Mulvena and Chris Ronshagen, and was a devoted grandfather to his five grandchildren: Wyatt (16), Sam (13), Sidney (10), Ruby (10), and Liam (6). He is also survived by his dear sister, Carol Covell (Alex), of Clinton, Connecticut, along with a very close extended family, including his sister-in-law, Barbara Tuttle (Benjamin), brother-in-law, George Abbott, and many loving nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Sinclair and Grace Kenney.

Bob was a star track runner during his younger years and an avid tennis player for most of his life, bringing the same focus, competitiveness, and quiet determination to the court that he brought to everything else. Trained as an engineer and blessed with an innate ingenuity, Bob believed in figuring things out for himself. He had a remarkable ability to look at any problem - especially one that began at home - and find a solution.

That mindset showed up in his lifelong passion for boats, cars, and motorcycles, all of which he restored by hand, including a Friendship Sloop, a Downeaster 32, a 1951 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, and more than one motorcycle. His handiness extended far beyond machinery. The family home - his palace - was a living reflection of his skill and care. He built an addition onto the house, constructed a backyard deck and pool, planted and lovingly tended the yard and gardens, and could most often be found in the garage, happily tinkering away.

Bob's most lasting gift to his family and friends was his generosity and quiet strength, always paired with a dry sense of humor. Over the past decade, he survived a heart attack, a stroke that paralyzed his left side, Parkinson's disease, and COPD. Family and friends often joked that Bob had nine lives. He lived on borrowed time and worked hard-and (sometimes) without complaint-alongside Elaine and a devoted group of talented healthcare professionals to remain on this earth for the people he loved. Through the years, there were so many people in the community who helped Bob and Elaine, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts, including many generous neighbors who checked in and helped with daily needs, the Warwick Fire Department's lift assist team, Rhode Island Hospital physicians, nurses, and therapy professionals, and, in his final days, the staff at the HopeHealth Hospice Services and Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home.

A dedicated and loyal husband, father, grandfather and friend, Bob leaves behind a legacy of resilience, craftsmanship, loyalty, and love, along with countless stories that will continue to be told with a smile. One of his final gifts to his family was just that: when Elaine asked for one last smile, Bob gave it to her, a quiet and powerful testament to his enduring love and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New England Chapter of The Parkinson's Foundation (www.parkinson.org/.newengland) or Rhode Island Hospital (www.giving.brownhealth.org/RIH/Support-RIH).

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI, followed by a Celebration of Life from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Iron Works Restaurant, 697 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI.