John Baldwin Kenney left us too soon on February 22, 2025.
John Kenney was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 22, 1958, the second son of the late Bernard James and Helene Kenney. Before settling in Philadelphia, John previously resided in New York City, Washington, DC and Wilmington, DE.
A Linux and infrastructure Engineer, John was employed as a Unix database administrator with the Philadelphia Community Behavioral Health. A polymath with proven problem solving and communication skills, John was also a master clockmaker/watchmaker, cruciverbalist, thermionic valve collector and a voracious reader.
John is survived by the love of his life, his wife and long-time life partner, Atsuko Futami. Atsuko is known to all as “Obie” a nickname (short for “O’Brien”), as an inside joke on the first night he met her. Among various friends he cared for deeply, John held a particular fondness for his nephews, Makoto Kenney and Nick Mazza.
John Kenney lived life out loud. Always the biggest personality in the room, he will always be remembered for his sharp wit, deep voice, fiery passion and impressive intellect. A fiercely loyal man, John radiated with a warmth of personality enabling him to befriend perfect strangers, anywhere at any time. He was also a study in contrasts: brassy and sensitive; meticulous and impatient; quick to anger and to love.
John embodied the very sentiment he was fond of quoting: “While alive, live!”. He did things on his terms and in his way, even when it frequently introduced conflict. He was unafraid, proud of his humble beginnings and his capacity for learning. He would never back down, even when he should have. If you loved John, you accepted all of him: good and bad.
He will be missed in a world that could barely contain him.
Services will be private. Please feel free to send a condolence or leave a message below for the family.
