Saturday, 23 November 2024    Tel: 978-458-8768
Richard A. Kenney Print E-mail

Richard A. Kenney

Retired NCAA Compliance Coordinator, U/Mass Lowell;

Richard A. Kenney, 72, of Lowell, passed away at Lowell General Hospital on Friday July 31, 2020 after a brief illness.

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, November 2, 1947, the son of the late John F. and the late Dorothy M. (Russell) Kenney, he attended Lowell schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School Class of 1965.

Richard continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology from Lowell Technological Institute (nka U/Mass Lowell) in 1969.

Prior to his retirement in 2011, after more than 40 years of service, Richard was the NCAA Compliance Coordinator for the Athletic Department at U/Mass Lowell. In addition, he served as the diving coach for the Varsity swim team for many years.

Among his many interests, Richard enjoyed gardening, cooking and traveling annually to Nevis in the West Indies and Provincetown, MA. He enjoyed writing and penned a book titled "Lowell Technological Institute 1897-1975, The City, The School and it's Athletics".  He enjoyed music and was a member of the New Greely Singers.

He is survived by his sister-in-law Gail Kenney of Methuen; two nieces Susan St. Pierre and her husband Scott of Pelham, NH and their sons Sean and Michael and Deborah Quinn and her husband Raymond of Kingston, NH and their sons Connor and Douglas.

He was also the brother of the late Elaine (Kenney) Schubert and the late John Russell Kenney.

Due to Covid-19, all services will be private for the family. E-condolences at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory may do so to the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, 192 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL, MA (978) 458-8768.     

 


 

Condolences (16)
  • 2024-03-04 23:31:23 | Rick Cheney
    Dick was my closest friend in High school. I just learned of his passing. I remember going to the hospital to visit his mom when I could borrow my family's car and many game nights with Sue Leggat and Tommy Lane.
  • 2021-07-30 08:11:57 | Jim Doucette  - College friend in the early 1970s
    I have just learned of Dick's passing, which occurred one year ago tomorrow. I met Dick through the Lowell Tech radio station, WLTI, in the early 1970s. We shared our love for music back then, and had a great time hanging out together. We re-connected back in 2012/2013, but I haven't seen him since. He was a great person, and I will miss him.
  • 2020-10-05 17:16:52 | Cris (Morrison) Gaines  - Great Coach!
    I was a female swimmer on the Men's Swim Team @ ULowell and knew him for 2 years 75/75 & 76/77 seasons. He was a great support and always had kind words and good advice. He even guided me thru the transfer process to another school that better suited me! The world is a sadder place upon losing him. I enjoyed his upbeat attitude and enthusiasm and his jokes! But mostly his great advice when I sought it!
  • 2020-09-14 13:25:54 | Mark Rebillard  - ULowell Swim Team 1991
    Dick let me walk-on to the U-Lowell Swim Team despite the fact that I had no previous competitive swimming experience. With his help and encouragement, I qualified to compete the NCAAII New England Regional Championship in my first academic year. I'll never forget his kindness and generosity. He was a great coach who gave so much everyone on the team.
  • 2020-09-12 10:26:55 | John  - A wonderful and kind man
    A gentleman that will surely be missed~ Seems like yesterday that he was sitting in his sunroom telling stories of days gone by~ the memories will remain of his kindness and consideration and mostly to the friendship he extended to me~ THE ETERNAL HOME. ------------------ There are our loved ones in their rest! They've crossed Time's River, now no more They heed the bubbles on its breast, Nor feel the storms that sweep its shore. But there pure love can live, can last;~ They look for us their home to share; When we, in turn, away have passed, What joyful greetings wait us there, Beyond the river! [Dublin Univ] Thank you Len.
  • 2020-09-07 16:19:49 | Dennis Scannell  - UMass Lowell
    Richard was a few years ahead of me growing up in Belvidere....Oakland then to Moody.....I was involved with athletics for 18 years at the University...Richard had a difficult task each year making sure each athlete was on par academically....He had to keep tabs on each team very closely. The teams were so successful back then and much of it had to do with his work behind the scenes.....Best to all Family members...He was a very nice person.....
  • 2020-08-13 09:17:13 | Bonnie Cameron Mallia  - Good night, sweet Prince
    I send my condolences to Richard's family. Richard and I were pals all through the Oakland School years. I have fond memories of us at Moody Jr. High getting into trouble in history class. He was brilliant, mischievous and very kind. Returning home from California after many years, I was delighted to see him at our LHS reunion; we shared stories and talked about our beloved cats. The world will seem less bright without him.
  • 2020-08-10 05:38:43 | Marilyn Castles  - Hello, All Persons in Richard's Family
    I have known Richard sixty-two years, and I love him dearly. When I was nine, my family moved here to a home on Parkview Avenue, a few hundred feet from the home where Richard lived with his uncle. My older sister Dottie ("Miss Castles"), in her first year of teaching, was Richard's sixth-grade teacher at the Oakland School. Richard and I played together a lot. He was a person of great goodness. I am touched by the beauty of one of Richard's recent actions. From the richness of his social personality, (on FB) Richard spoke this truth to many persons: "I love you all." Richard and I retained our childhood homes and our friendship. He was a highly esteemed and trusted friend who was greatly integrated into my life. I have started to make the transition to considering Richard according to his eternal being. In spatio-temporal terms, he is "center everywhere, circumference nowhere," living in joy and dynamic peace. We are all unique! I wish you, each individual of Richard's family, in whatever is your own way of thinking and feeling, the comforts that arise from mourning.
  • 2020-08-08 09:06:50 | Jacqualyn Caplan  - Loss of a true Human Being
    I have known Dick since High School 1965 LHS. I will miss him every day. He was such a kind, person to every one he met. His love of life and people can’t be matched. He brought a smile to our faces every day. Dick had so many friends from different walks of life. I don’t think we will ever have another friend like him. RIP Richard Kenney. Our Days are not the same without you.5n
  • 2020-08-08 07:53:15 | Penny (Brown) Moquin  - friend and classmate
    I met Dick when I entered his 6th grade class in the middle of the school year. As many others will recall the same experience, Dick was the first to reach out and befriend me.We walked back and forth to school through Junior High. Having reunited at our reunion, I have enjoyed all of his FB writings and musings. Thinking of his family with love at this sad time. d
  • 2020-08-07 21:31:56 | Betsy Hopkins  - Dick will be missed
    I had the pleasure of singing with Dick in a couple of choral groups, and around the table of our mutual friends. He was always great, funny, amazingly warm, and one of the most charming people I have ever had the pleasure to know. I loved him dearly and will miss him dearly. I have made a donation to Acting Out! of Lawrence, my home theater company where he saw his last theater performance in March. My thoughts and prayers to all his family at this amazingly difficult time.
  • 2020-08-07 21:08:00 | Lynne A Gonyea  - Dick
    I am sorry for the loss of a wonderful man. I am so glad I was able to have him my life. He was funny, caring and loved his friends and family. The world is a sadder place without him in. Dick. May you rest is piece. I love you and will always miss you.
  • 2020-08-07 20:42:17 | Karen Landry  - Richard Kenney
    I have known Richard since Lowell High School. We graduated together in 1965. We reunited after our 50th LHS Reunion. As many of us continued to occasionally meetup in person in mini get togethers at a local restaurant and regularly on Facebook. Richard’s written entries, ie, especially his detailed weather updates were read and enjoyed by all of us on our website. Richard was a kind and always participating LHS graduate. Richard will be missed.
  • 2020-08-07 20:33:25 | Randy Sablich  - He was a great man
    We are all so sad for the passing of Dick. He was a friend to all. A brilliant, caring man, always there to help everyone, for whatever they needed. His love of music, his willingness to give, and help whoever needed it was and remains an excellent example of what we need more of today. I personally waited eagerly every day for his weather updates. God be with him in heaven and with all who mourn his loss.
  • 2020-08-07 20:28:11 | Michael Mason  - LHS 1965 Classmate
    My sincere condolences to Richard's family and the many people whose lives he touched.
  • 2020-08-07 17:54:48 | Pam Grimes  - RIP
    You have brought so much fun into our lives in the past years. Daily reports on the weather.Updates on all the animals have made us laugh daily. so much more I could say but you know how I feel. Love you and miss you.
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