David C. Kenney
September 16, 1966-December 29, 2023

    David C. Kenney passed away unexpectedly on December 29, 2023. David was truly one of a kind and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Richard G. (“Bud”) Kenney, and Helen P. (Morris) Kenney, as well as his son Matthew R. Kenney. He is survived by his daughter Emma Kenney, his sons Christopher Kenney and Joseph Kenney, his fiancé Kathleen Lang, his siblings Richard Kenney and his wife Jean, Robert Kenney, and his wife Karolee, and Janet Kenney, as well as his nieces, nephews, and his firefighter/military family.

    David grew up in Abington, MA, in an Irish American Catholic family in the 1970’s. As the youngest of four, he was the source of great joy in the Kenney household. At the formative age of 13, he bore the loss of his lovely mother. As difficult as the situation was, his dad, “Bud,” kept the family alive and well. His dad worked 60-70 hours a week, prepared meals on Sunday for the week to come, and was the rock that the family clung to in that tumultuous time. Dave played football in high school and made some great friends along the way. When he graduated, he worked local jobs for a couple of years, then joined the Army to serve his country.

    David was in the US army from 1986 -1993 where he served during the Gulf War as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1990, when Operation Desert Storm was launched, he went off to war. He didn’t talk much of his time overseas, but he made lifelong friendships while serving his country. He ended his time in the military to focus on his young family with the mother of his children, Ellen Meaney Kenney. If there was one thing he knew he did right in this lifetime it was raising his four children. He loved and supported them in every way he knew how. He often showed up to a ballgame or an art show without them even knowing he was there. He might be way out in the outfield or in the top row cheering them on. His kids always knew how proud he was to be their dad; whenever they met his friends for the first time, those friends already knew everything about them.

    After the military, he began his journey as a career firefighter. He spent many years as a volunteer firefighter and paramedic before landing a full-time position at the Middleboro Fire Department in 2003. David was extremely proud to be a firefighter. He eventually took on teaching the Fire and Science Program for Middleboro High School. His time there provided great stories for his kids and their classmates. The conversation often went something like, “Oh - your dad’s Dave Kenney?? That guy yells at me a lot but he’s hilarious!” He was born to be a first responder not only as a career but as a father, brother, partner, and friend. He was someone you could count on unequivocally to show up in times of need. He’d give you his last dollar and his only shirt any time.

   After retiring as a Lieutenant from MFD in 2022, he jumped into his car almost immediately and moved down to Ocala, Florida to escape the cold New England weather and to join his beloved fiancé, Kathleen. He loved the warm weather, the native wildlife and exploring his new stomping grounds. Although his time in the Sunshine State was short, we were happy to see that he enjoyed every day, knowing he finally made it to the place he considered home.

   David will be remembered for his fierce loyalty, his candidness, his work ethic, his goofy laugh, his ability to infuriate you and, in the same breath, have you in tears laughing.  He will continue to be an example of what it is to be an honest, righteous, and upstanding man. Most of all, we will remember his love and devotion to his family and friends. He was a truly special man, and his memory and spirit will endure for years to come.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 6, at Central Fire Station in Middleboro, MA from 2-4.
125 North Main Street
Middleborough, MA 02346

A celebration of life will be held at the Elks Lodge following the service.
24 High Street Middleborough, MA 02346

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Matthew R. Kenney Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Checks payable to Middleboro Dollars for Scholars and can be mailed to:
Middleboro High School
Dollars for Scholars - Matthew R. Kenney Memorial Scholarship
71 East Grove
Middleboro, MA 02346
Or
Venmo donations to @MK-TOURNAMENT