submitted by Deputy County Executive Chris Meyer
The late Brigadier General James Joseph Kenney, whose service in the United States Armed Services began during World War II and continued through his retirement in 1987, was recognized on Monday, February 13, by the Rensselaer County Honor-A-Deceased Veteran Committee and County officials.
[private]Kenney, a lifelong resident of the Town of Hoosick, started his military career at the age of 15, prior to graduating from the former Walter A. Wood Memorial High School, when he joined the New York Guard and served as a member until joining the United States Navy on November 6, 1945. A student at Siena College at the time of his enlistment in the Navy, Kenney completed nearly two years active duty prior to his honorable discharge from that branch and his immediate enlistment in the New York Army National Guard. He served with the Guard until 1977, working for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, thus attaining the brevet promotion to Brigadier General. Following his service in the Army National Guard Kenney enlisted into the Army Reserves, where he was assigned to a selective service unit as Commander, eventually retiring from this position and military service on December 6, 1987.
In 1966 Kenney married the former Leona Gayle Jones and helped to raise a family that included daughters Stacy and Kathleen and son James while also maintaining employment with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. At EnCon, Kenney was assigned special game coordinator for Rensselaer County, where his favorite work detail included patrolling the Tomhannock Reservoir, until his retirement in 2009.
For his honorable service to our nation, Kenney was authorized to receive the World War II Victory Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Devices, the State Military Commendation Medal, the 35 Year Long and Faithful Service Medal, the Duty and Aid to Civil Authorities Medal with Three Clusters, the State Recruiting Medal and various New York Guard ribbons. Involved in the community as well, Kenney was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, the American Legion, the National Guard Association, the National Rifle Association, the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad, the Hoosick Planning Board and the Immaculate Conception Church, among others.
“Along with his military service, James Kenney was very dedicated to his state, his community and most of all, his family. He also served for decades with the Department of Environmental Conservation, as assessor for Hoosick and with other community organizations. His life was truly dedicated to serving others,” said Legislator Stan Brownell, who represents Kenney’s hometown of Hoosick along with Legislator Lester Goodermote.
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