Eugene C. Kenny, Jr.

MIDDLETON-Eugene Charles Kenny, Jr., age 94, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at The Villa at Middleton Village Nursing Home. He was born on June 29, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Eugene C. Sr and Kathleen Kenny (nee McGrath). He married Virginia Nora (nee Flaherty) on June 11, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. After her death in December 1993, he married Mary (nee Blake) in 1997. Eugene and Mary moved to a senior living apartment in Madison, in 2009 until he required memory care in 2013 and subsequent nursing home care at The Villa at Middleton Village in July 2016.  Eugene was born a twin in 1923, the 6th of 11 children. His twin Mary C. died in infancy. He is survived by his sister Theresa, his four children Patricia A. (Rick Sullivan), Eugene C. (Helen Berch), James B. (Margaret Connelly) and Marianne Christine. In addition he is survived by his 10 grandchildren;15 great- grandchildren and more than 90 nieces and nephews.  After completing secondary school at St. Rita's High School in Chicago and Trade School where he became a Metal Patternmaker, he worked at Crane Company for several decades. His employment was interrupted by World War II when he served in the United States Navy and was stationed at Tutuila, Samoa in the South Pacific. He served as a Machinist's Mate Third Class. Following an injury, he required 6 months of rehabilitation and was honorably discharged from Great Lakes Naval Hospital in September 1945.  As an adult, Eugene was a passionate machinist having a shop in every home he lived. When he retired from pattern making, he worked part time at Oak Lawn Community High School as a custodian. He was always interested in learning a new skill and took welding classes at Morraine Valley Community College and took up relief carving in his 80s. He loved trains and ballroom dancing.  Our family would like to thank the staff at The Villa for caring for him over the past 19 months. Despite having significant memory loss, he never forgot to say thank you, which endeared him to the staff.  Burial will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.