Our Alma Mater in the 1950's

Our Alma Mater in the 1950's
Reared against the sky

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Saying Goodbye to a classmate --Joe Kenney

The class of 1961 lost another classmate this week.  Joe Kenney was born June 23, 1943 and passed away May 15, 2014 in Neah Bay, WA.  He was a popular member of our class and below are a few memories submitted about him, along with a few pictures I've accumulated over the years.
 Joe is 2nd row on left.  This is his 1st grade class in Port Townsend
 Joe is 4th from the left in 2nd row. This is his 2nd grade class
 The first class I had with Joe --3rd grade. I'm 2nd from left, 2nd row. He's on far right, also 2nd row
 Our 20-year reunion in 1981 at Hadlock House. Joe is far right in back row
 Our 40-year reunion in 2001. Joe is guy on far left in the back.
                                               Joe in junior high school
                                                 Graduation picture 1961
                                       Picnic reunion at Port Ludlow-Bruce Chesterfield,Dave Marriott, Dave Worley, and Joe
                                         Picnic reunion at Port Townsend- Joe with Dave Worley, Gary Funston, and Jud Gammage
Reunion with Sharon Young, Karen Jovag, and John Ecker

Memories:

John Ecker:
I think it was 3 years ago this coming November my oldest son Matt and I hunted Elk in an area close to where Joe lived.  I called him a few months before the season and asked him if he would guide us and he agreed to do so.  We were together for 2 days.  During that time he talked about his life and his family.  Joe never had it easy.  I did enjoy our time together and we had planned to do it again the next year but circumstances prevented that from happening and last year I didn't hunt so never got to see him again. 
Let me add that I asked Joe about the "Redskin" name and his thoughts about changing it to something else.  He didn't want the name changed and reminded me the Neah Bay mascot name is the "Red Devils" and no one better tell them they needed to change it.   
Also as an added note to the story --we did not hunt on the reservation but we passed through it to get to where we were going.   When we brought Joe back to town at end of the day we stopped at his sons smoked salmon and jerky store.  The tribal police followed us in and went directly to Joe and asked him if he was hunting with white people and he said yes.  They told him tribal law restricted who he could hunt with and he could never hunt with someone using a state license.  They said they were considering taking his rifle and issuing him a large fine.  He later told me they never did. 

Gracia Feick Peone:
 He was my first crush

Rick Judy:
When I think of Joe I remember him as a really nice person who always seemed to have a positive outlook.  He was one of the first kids I hung out with on the playground when I moved to Port Townsend from little old Chimacum, making me feel better about my new surroundings.  He was athletic, somebody you really wanted on your side when we played foam dodge ball in P.E. with his quickness and dead aim.  He was one of only a couple of kids in P.E. that could scoot up the thirty foot rope in the gym and slap the beam with no apparent effort.

Dave Marriott:
I know there was a story in the Daily News some years ago, about Joe being a carver.  I think you may have sent it to me.  That is what encouraged me to talk to Joe prior to our 40th about his work as a carver and that I was interested in any pieces he was then working on.  At the party at Liz’s home on the Golf Course, I talked with Joe and he showed me a Pook mask he had done.  I bought it from him that day and it is hanging in my office as I write this.  I am proud to have a piece that Joe carved.  It will always give me fond memories of our days in high school and the special, gentle person he was. 

Sharon Sofie:
Tom Moss was bringing a friend's Grand Banks yacht, Her Way, back to Portland from Pender Harbor, BC, in September, 2011.   I was aboard.  We pulled into Port Townsend during the Wooden Boat Festival before continuing on to Port Angeles to fuel up before heading south to Portland.  Thanks to Tom, we docked in Neah Bay.  Tom and I walked from the marina to a fish shop owned and operated by Joe's brother (?) Kim or Kym.  I entered first and heard someone say, "There's my high school cheerleader, Sharon Sofie".  Joe was sitting on an ice chest full of salmon which was mostly sold during our visit.  His family was hospitable wanting to share.  Joe had amazing recall and we three shared wonderful school memories.  We enjoyed our afternoon visit and took photos before we left.    Joe was healthy and happy and that is how I will always remember him.  Joe was proud to be a PTHS Redskin as was his brother, Ron.   Rest in Peace, Bro, until we meet again!


Joe,Sharon,Tom at Neah Bay


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