John Daniel Kenneally Of Southampton Dies May 24

John “Jack” Daniel Kenneally of Southampton died on May 24, 2017. He was 83.

Mr. Kenneally was born in the Bronx to Daniel and Cherry Kenneally on March 26, 1934. As a boy, he was an amazing athlete, survivors said, earning the nickname “fast man.” He was also a resourceful entrepreneur who purchased his first car with a group of friends at the age of 14. He discovered books as a college student at Iona College, and later earned his doctorate in English literature from Fordham University. His dissertation focused on the works of Gerard Manley Hopkins, and he was an avid student of Old English.

While earning his doctorate, he was the chief lifeguard at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, where he fell in love with Christina Redding, with whom he was a friendly co-parent until his death. They moved to Southampton in 1968 where he was offered a job as an English professor at the college. He died in the house where they raised their children with his brother and Christina nearby.

Mr. Kenneally had 15 grandchildren, and after he retired from teaching, he enjoyed taking care of them. Many people in town will remember him pushing babies and toddlers through the grocery store with a running commentary, teaching them to swim, taking them to Sacred Heart, and spending hours at the park or beach. He also taught many to drive or play tennis; he played poker with the same friends for 40 plus years; he read The New York Times in its entirety daily; he loved classic movies; he never missed an opportunity to quote Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Matthew Arnold, or Oscar Wilde; and he never missed a day of school—as a student, a high school teacher, or a professor.

Mr. Kenneally is survived by a son, Mark; and daughters, Caroline, Danielle, Nicole, and Vicky; a brother, Daniel; and a sister, Jean; co-parent Christina Redding; grandchildren, Alex, Chelsea, Christian, Erik, Grace, Jack, another Jack, Mackenzie, Sean, Violet, Lottie, Ruby, Lola, Nick, and Cooke.

A memorial service is planned for the evening of July 9 at one of his favorite beaches.