Malachi Patrick Kenney

July 31, 1926 - February 22, 2018

Malachi Patrick Kenney, Jr. better known as Potts, passed away peacefully in Punta Gorda, Florida on February 22, 2018, surrounded by his wife Rosemary and a handful of his nine children. Mal was the first of four children, born in Brooklyn, New York to Malachi and Charity Kenney on July 31, 1926. He grew up in Manhasset, NY and graduated from Saint Dominic High School in 1944—he spent a lot of time on Jones Beach during his time in high-school life-guarding (and taking girls out for boat rides). Soon after high school, Mal entered the Navy and served from July 1944 until June 1946. He met and married Mildred McShane and they had two children, Malachi Patrick III and John. Mal attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He went on to receive two other engineering degrees, mechanical and metallurgical, as if one wasn’t enough. Meanwhile he was widowed, met and married the girl next door, Joan Mitchell; and they added seven more Kenney’s to the mix. Mal worked for multiple companies including: Foster Wheeler, Symington Wayne, Roblin Steel, American Pensions Industries, Erie Forge & Steel, Western Forge, ITT and Alumax Engineered Metal Processes. Although he excelled at all of his jobs, he was chosen from a group of worldwide employees and received the very prestigious, Harold S. Geneen award from ITT for his leadership, creativity, and teamwork. Potts enjoyed running, sailing, camping, reading, donating time to politics and other local government duties. Between all that he still found time to travel to visit his crew of grandchildren for various sporting events, graduations, births, etc—you name it he was there. Out of everything he accomplished throughout his life, his greatest joy was brought by the time he spent being in the presence of his family. Mal is survived by his wife, Rosemary, Chesterfield, MO and Punta Gorda, FL; his brother David P. Kenney, Long Island, NY and seven of his nine children: Andrew Kenney, Punta Gorda, FL; Christopher Kenney, Denver, CO; Joan Jamerson, Collinsville, IL; Sarah Elizabeth Venner, Colorado Springs, CO; Mary Brigid Kenney, Chesterfield, MO; Mary Kenney Gleason, Saint Louis, MO and Matthew Kenney, Windsor, CO. Potts was the greatest grandfather to: Liam Kenney, Brendan Kenney, Malachi P. Kenney IV, Meghan Kenney Meyer, Melissa Kenney, Andrew Kenney, Joshua Jamerson, Ryan Kenney, Sam Kenney, Emily Venner, Andrew Venner, Meghan Gleason, Erin Kenney, John Kenney, Owen Kenney, and Ella Kenney. He was also a great-grandfather to: Caroline Kenney, Sara Kenney, Gavin Kenney, John Kenney, Claire Kenney, Maeryn Meyer, Johnny Meyer, and Patrick Meyer. He was preceded in death by his wives, Mildred McShane Kenney and Joan Mitchell Kenney; two sons, Malachi P. Kenney III, Phoenix, AZ; John M. Kenney, Hopkinton, MA; and granddaughter Mary E. “Molly” Gleason, Saint Louis, MO. Family will be celebrating Potts’ life from 4pm to 7pm, Friday, March 2, 2018 at Ortmann-Stipanovich Funeral Home, 12444 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur, MO. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 10am at Incarnate Word Parish, 13416 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society either online or by mail at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 98018, Washington DC, 20090. Condolences may be left on Malachi Patrick Kenney online guest book at www.osfuneralhomes.com.