Walter Ronald Kenney
Walter Ronald Kenney, of Bethany, passed away on Monday, July 28, 2014 at Arden House. He was born in New Haven on October 1, 1933 to the late Walter Iver Kenney and Svea Elvira (Fagrell) Kenney. He was the husband of his high school sweetheart, Priscilla Blake (Smith) Kenney. They were married on June 28, 1958 at The Church of the Redeemer in New Haven. He attended New Haven schools and graduated from James Hillhouse High School in 1952. He attended New Haven Teacher's College (now SCSU) before serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After the service he completed his education at the University of Connecticut. Walter was employed by the CT State Department of Transportation as a Landscape Architect and Designer for 40 years, prior to his retirement in 1991. He was active in Day Spring Masonic Lodge #30 AF&AM in Hamden, where he rose to become Master and then served as Treasurer for a number of years. He also belonged to Lafayette Consistory-Scottish Rite in New Haven. Walter took great pride in his wife and sons, his home, and how he led his life. Besides his wife Priscilla, he is survived by his two sons, Walter Glen Kenney and his wife Lori and their two daughters, Samantha and Madison, all of Simsbury and his son Warren Walter Kenney and his wife Cristina of Naugatuck. In addition, he leaves his sister, Constance Svea Caswell and her husband Philip Caswell III of Jupiter, FL; sister-in-law Barbara Smith Anderson of Upper Marlboro, MD; two nephews, Ward S. Caswell and Douglas R. Anderson; a niece, Valerie E. Anderson and their families. He also leaves two Godsons, Douglas R. Anderson and Alan A. Frederickson, and many very special friends and wonderful neighbors. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Robert A. Anderson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492, or American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Dean Highway, 2nd Floor, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be Private in North Haven Center Cemetery. BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden in care of arrangements.
Deepest sympathies to the Kenney family on such a great loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I’ve known Ronnie since grade school and he was always the gentleman. He and Priscilla, also a classmate, worked always on each and every reunion we had of the Class of 1952. The reunion meetings were more fun than the reunion itself. We shall all miss Ron at the next get-together. My deepest sympathy to the whole Kenney family. May your memories of Ron sustain you in the days ahead.
Walt was a true gentlemen in every way and it was my pleasure to have worked with him at the DOT. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Walt was a wonderful man to be with. He was a Freemason through and through exhibiting the best traits taught by the fraternity–brotherly love, relief and truth. I remember him as a thoughtful, polite and caring man who was supportive of lodge functions and a brother that I could call on for advice and support when I was an officer and later as Master of Day Spring Lodge. He will surely be missed, but we take comfort in the knowledge that he is in a better place now, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.