John Lester Kenerson

John Lester Kenerson, 84, died in peace surrounded by family on May 24, 2008 at the Virginia Beach home of his son Dr. John G. Kenerson. He will now continue his journey from his winter home in Sanibel, Florida to his permanent home of sixty years in Hull, Massachusetts, where a Friday Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Ann’s Church. John was the son of the late Lester I. and Mary Kenerson. He is survived by his soul mate and oft described “beautiful” wife of 59 years, Marie (Parkes). He was preceded in death by his beloved son Brian J. Kenerson. He will receive a loving welcome home physically and in spirit by all six of his sons, two daughters, their spouses, ten grandchildren, and an extensive network of friends and family. He was the devoted father of Dr. John G. Kenerson and his wife Dr. Lisbet Hanson of Virginia Beach, VA, Paul F. Kenerson and his wife Elaine Abry of Wenham, William M. Kenerson and his wife Julie (Clancy) of Quincy, Thomas J. Kenerson and his wife Hirity Negash of Manor, TX, Marie L. Kenerson and her husband Daniel Heggie of Montgomery, TX, Carol A. and her husband James Wilson of Brighton, Dr. Kevin R. Kenerson of Portland, ME, and the late Brian J. Kenerson survived by his wife Kathy (Blake) Kenerson of La Selva Beach, CA. He was the cherished grandfather of Sean, Timothy, Robert, Ashley, Michael, Caroline, Rose, Blake, Sarah Kenerson and Henry Wilson. He was the loving brother of the late Mary Hurd Spencer, Grace T. Bannen, James F. and Richard P. Kenerson. John proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was one of the first Americans to enter Nagasaki after the atom bomb. Upon his return from WWII, he went to work with Swift & Company, and ultimately opened The Garden Gate in Hingham. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the development of his own import company, John L. Kenerson Inc. He simultaneously worked with Crawford Garden Supply Co. out of Providence, RI. John was a past Commodore of the Hull Yacht Club. He enjoyed sailing, fishing, woodworking and gardening. Most of all, John loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. His vision was an inclusionary family where no one was excluded or unimportant, everybody was enthusiastically welcomed with warmth and love, support, and respect. At the end of his life, it was the ultimate honor to hear from so many “nearly family” members, sharing life experiences of how they were touched and influenced by “Mr. and Mrs. Kenerson”. Many told them with sincerity how they were important role models for parenting of their own families, with the imparted wisdom of many hours of discussion and ethical debate at the unique Kenerson Kitchen table. To honor his memory is to adopt his “two thumbs up” attitude of Hope over adversity, where for years every day would start with “I am still here…so let’s have a good day, and make something better!” Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours Thursday 4 – 8 p.m. at the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald St., Hingham. The funeral will process from the Pyne Keohane Funeral Home at 9 a.m. on Friday. The Funeral Mass will be held in Saint Ann’s Church, Hull at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Hull Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John L. Kenerson may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute by sponsoring the Kenerson riders at www.pmc.org or mailed to Pan-Mass Challenge, 77 4th Avenue, Needham, MA 02494.